By Tom Jackson POSING in the nude to raise money for the town s Christmas lights proved so popular that a pub landlord was able to create an 18-month calendar. Staff and regulars at the Honest John, Chatteris, were persuaded to bare all for the calendar b

By Tom Jackson

POSING in the nude to raise money for the town's Christmas lights proved so popular that a pub landlord was able to create an 18-month calendar.

Staff and regulars at the Honest John, Chatteris, were persuaded to bare all for the calendar by regular Tracie Cantwell to raise money for Chatteris Christmas Lights.

Landlord Richard Savage said: "Like all pubs the Honest John has had its fair share of wacky ideas, the calendar was one such.

"It was conceived in the bar and might have stayed as one of those 'that's a good idea' suggestions that never amount to anything was it not for the persuasively keen nature of Tracie, who quite literally charmed the pants off us.

"Nobody got cold feet so we decided to make an 18-month calendar. Furthermore, all the people who took part found it a very positive experience."

The pictures were taken by photographer Rob Morris at his studio in East Park Street, with the calendar designed and printed by Neil Mott of DST Print.

Mr Morris said: "It was great fun, all the models were brilliant. They were nervous but soon settled down and had a good laugh.

"They say women are vain - but the men were a lot more vain than the women."

Mr Savage, an erotic artist, features in the calendar and said it was a "unique and interesting experience being the other side of the camera".

He added: "Rob was brilliant and put everybody at ease. He was great to work with and made us feel really good about ourselves. I think I speak for everybody who modelled."

Tracie said the idea started "as a joke in the pub" but the following day started work started to find models and sponsors.

She said: "It is not something you do in every day life but it brought us all together for a really good cause."

Sales have already raised more than �600, on top of �800 the pub has raised this year through quiz nights. Mr Savage hopes to raise a combined total of �2,000 by Christmas.

# The calendar costs �8 and is available from the Honest John and various town centre shops.