BRAVE veterinary nurses have been following in the footsteps of the WI by stripping off and posing for a charity calendar. In one shot, only a soggy Alsatian and a few soap suds are there to spare the blushes of the employees from the Cromwell Veterinary

BRAVE veterinary nurses have been following in the footsteps of the WI by stripping off and posing for a charity calendar.

In one shot, only a soggy Alsatian and a few soap suds are there to spare the blushes of the employees from the Cromwell Veterinary Surgery in Huntingdon.

The 11 female nurses and two receptionists - one male and one female - have made the brave calendar in a bid to raise £5,000 to save a bear from a life of misery.

The other shots include three stripped-off nurses posing behind x-ray boards, and a Christmas scene complete with Santa hats and not much else.

Julie Eastham, nurse manager, who came up the idea, told The Hunts Post: "I suggested it as a throw away comment not thinking anyone would take me seriously.

"But, the staff loved the idea. They were really excited and it all just took all from there.

She added: "Making the calendar was absolutely amazing and great fun, it really gelled the team together."

The pictures were taken by photographer and former vet, Ruth Downing from Derby and included near-nude models, aged from 18 to 60, from Sawtry, St Ives, Alconbury, Cambourne and Huntingdon.

The Cromwell models need to sell 1,500 calendars to reach their fundraising target for the Animal Asia Foundation, which helps rescue Moon Blacks.

Mrs Eastham, who lives in Great Stukeley, said: "On farms across China Asiatic black bears, known as Moon Bears, are caged for up to 25 years while their bile is inhumanely extracted for use in Chinese medicine and cosmetics.

"Through calendar sales we are hoping to rescue one of these wonderful bears from a lifetime of imprisonment in a cage and give it the life it deserves."

INFORMATION: The calendar is officially launched next Wednesday (November 12) at Cromwell Veterinary Surgery in St John's Street, Huntingdon from 7pm to 9pm. Calendars cost £5 and are available to buy from the Cromwell Veterinary Surgery or by post for £5.80 including P&P by calling 01480 52601 or e-mailing julie@cromwellvets.co.uk.

To find out more about the Animal Asia Foundation, visit www.animalasia.org