A GROUP of Ribble Valley cricketers have stripped off their whites in bid to raise funds.

But players from Longridge Cricket Club made sure to cover their own "middle wickets".

The LCCalendar 2007 was prompted by the need for a new pavilion and junior field which the club set up earlier this year.

Inspiration came from two Longridge mothers - Heather Baines and Helen Knight - who wanted to help put something back in to the club which had provided so much to their children.

Heather said the got the idea from a Flintoff calendar, adding: "They are all superb lads and there's a really good team spirit at the club that meant they were really up for doing it. "

Calendar coverboy and Mr October, all-rounder Andrew Simpson, 24, of Mersey Street, Longridge, said: "I've been playing at the club since I was seven or eight so if you can get any money at all it's always welcome. It was a great laugh doing the photo shoot. It was a real team effort and it was all mates together."

Andrew's brothers Ian and John also struck a pose.

Photography was done free of charge by Leon McMullen of photographic firm 53north.com. Printing was done for free by player Ian Barton, a director of CPL Design and Print in Bamber Bridge.

The club hopes to raise £5,000 and the £10 black and white calendars are available from the Towneley Arms, the Forrests Arms and Thyme Restaurant, the Dog and Partridge in Chipping, Longridge Gallery, Longridge Electrical Services, Head over Heels, a Touch of Class and Carefoots Farm Shop.