THE brave ladies of Eynsham’s Bartholomew Players are not only stripping off on stage this week in their production of the play Calendar Girls but they have also produced a nude calendar in aid of charity.

Proceeds from the calendar will go to Oxford’s Helen & Douglas House hospice. Twelve businesses in Eynsham have sponsored a month each in the calendar.

The play tells the true story of 11 Yorkshire WI members who posed for a calendar to raise money for leukaemia research.

Denise Santilli, who plays Celia, said: “We have had so many laughs rehearsing for this play, and by posing nude early on for the charity calendar, we soon got rid of our inhibitions.”

The show runs from tonight until Saturday at Eynsham Village Hall in Back Lane. Friday’s performance, a special supper show in aid of the Players and Eynsham Lions Club’s charities, is sold out.

Doors open at 7.15pm, with the play starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets, priced £8 or £7 for concessions, are available from Evenlode DIY in Eynsham, by calling Mrs Santilli on 07721 744020, on the door or email bart.players@gmail.com