Photographer Simon Kench took up an unusual suggestion by a rubgy club ladies committee and carried out an eye-popping photo-shoot to raise cash for their new clubhouse.

Of course, being a ladies' suggestion, they wanted the men to strip off - and they asked freelance Simon to tastefully snap the squad.

Simon works for the East Riding Mail - part of the Hull Daily Mail - previously working freelance for 10 years in the east Yorkshire area for weeklies, regional, national newspapers and in PR.

He's taken many pictures for Driffield Rugby Club in east Yorkshire over the years, and one of the ladies asked him if he has any fund-raising ideas.

Simon said: "I mentioned for a joke that the first team would look good on a Pirelli type calendar shoot. And the rest - as they say, is history."

"It's funny as most of these guys, after a few beers, get their kit off anyway, but some said to me during the shoot that they had never been as nervous, even before a big match.

"But we got a result - we now have 1000 print run calendar and about 300 orders, and hopefully about £5,000-plus raised for the club. I donated my time free, just charging for materials.

"The calendar is all in good taste (rugby balls where they should be) and has certainly got the town talking."

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