Red hot dates were on offer this weekend when West Yorkshire firefighters revealed their new charity calendar - and more than a little flesh.

Temperatures positively soared at the launch party held at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford on Saturday night.

Celebrities attending the event including Coronation Street actress Suzie Blake, who plays Bev Unwin in the soap, and various members of the Emmerdale cast posed with fire fighters who have appeared in the saucy calendar in various poses, uniforms and locations.

Dominic Furby, watch manager at the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services' headquarters in Birkenshaw, has organised the calendar for the last three years.

He said: "Last year we raised £30,000 from sales of the calendar. This year we hope to beat that figure.

"It's wonderful that so many people have supported us including Suzie Blake who agreed to get involved because she has formed good friendships with some of the firefighters over the years."

Firefighters Vince Nickle and Rob Hart, who make the perfect start to any year as Mr Januarys, are no strangers to fame and fortune.

The firefighters, based at Stanningley fire station, regularly appear on the Paul O'Grady show and have interviewed celebrities including Sir Elton John and Ewan McGregor.

"This is the first time we have done the calendar but it's not our first brush with fame," said Vince, 43.

"We are regular guests on the Paul O'Grady show and will be starting filming again soon.

"My family and friends laughed when I told them I was doing this because they said I was too old."

Alan Holdsworth, 35, is a firefighter at Bradford fire station.

"The amount of teasing we have been through from the rest of the lads as a result of doing it is unbelievable," he said.

"It takes a lot of bottle to do it but is well worth it because it's for such a good cause."

Two charities will benefit from the proceeds this year, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Fire Service Benevolent Fund.

Paul Gowland, of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: "It's fantastic that they have chosen to support our charity.

"It's also appropriate because we work so closely together in performing rescues, particularly in the case of road traffic accidents," he said.

Calendars, priced at £5, are available from the West Yorkshire Fire Service headquarters in Birkenshaw, fire sta-tions across the Bradford district, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance offices at Dean Clough Mills, Halifax, or on line at www.westyorksfire.gov.uk.

Alternatively send your name, address and a cheque for £8 made payable to Calendar Account to Dominic Furby, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, BA Department, Oak-royd Hall, Birkenshaw, West Yorkshire, BD11 2DY.

e-mail: jennifer.sugden@bradford.newsquest.co.uk