RUGBY players have got their kit off to boost funds for children's charities in the North-East.

Clems Pirates, of Durham, are also embarking on a ten-day tour of South Africa in May next year where they will play against teams from small communities.

Team spokesman Stephen Oxenham, said that the tour was set up to celebrate 50 years in business for team sponsors Clems Fish and Chips, which has shops in Shildon, Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor.

The 44-year-old, who is a director of the company, said: "We wanted to do something special to celebrate 50 years in business so we decided on the tour but we also wanted to do something for local charities so we thought of doing a calendar.''

The team is also appealing to rugby players and footballers in the region to send old items of kit to take to South Africa with them.

Mr Oxenham said: "We have heard that the kids out there often play football and rugby in their bare feet and we thought it would be a nice gesture to take as much stuff as we could out there.''

The calendars are on sale at £5 each and are available in all outlets of Clems Fish and Chips, where items of kit can also be left.