TALK of a rugby club team photo sees players ironing and washing muddy kit in preparation for the camera.But West Norfolk Rugby Club s latest line-up needed no such efforts.The squad of strapping players took their kit off for their latest photo shoot a

TALK of a rugby club team photo sees players ironing and washing muddy kit in preparation for the camera.

But West Norfolk Rugby Club's latest line-up needed no such efforts.

The squad of strapping players took their kit off for their latest photo shoot as they bared biceps and bottoms for a calendar raising money for the special baby care unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.

Club members decided to shoot the calendar for Christmas after player Alex Singleton's daughter Ava was born in March. She was 13 weeks premature.

With only 12 specialist cots at the QEH, the premature baby was forced to spend the early weeks of her life in Luton.

Club finances needed a boost so the club decided to print the calendar and split the proceeds with a fund for new baby care facilities at the QEH.

Organisers are hoping there will be a scrum for the calendars as they fly off the shelves to raise money for the worthy cause.

Kim Denton, club member who helped with the calendar, said: "It is tastefully done. There is nothing horrid except bottoms. They've got rugby balls in the way.

She said: "They were very keen. They had just won a cup match. So the smiles were genuine when they got their kit off and ran around the pitch.

"There were one or two who said "Do I have to do this?', but they were told 'that was that' and they got on with it."

The 12-month calendar includes pictures of the players in the changing rooms, on the pitch, doing line-outs, free kicks and scrums and the calendar is already flying off the shelves.

Money raised will help increase the number of babies the special care unit can care for. It is hoped the money will provide a second overnight room for parents and a quiet area for nurses to prepare medication and give the whole unit a much-needed freshen up.

n Calendars cost £5 each and are available from the rugby club on 01553 631307. Or from Carol Stephenson, the rugby club bar manager on 07783 087806.