FIREFIGHTERS from a North-East fire station are the latest pin-ups in a calendar which is selling like hot cakes.

It was last year that officers at the Peterlee station, in County Durham, decided to launch their own charity entitled Firemen Full Stop.

It raises money for local needy causes and the men collected almost £17,000 for the Hartlepool Hospice and the Fire Brigade's Benevolent Fund after organising a series of events including a cycle ride from Calais to Monte Carlo.

This year they decided to follow the famous North Yorkshire Calender girls and produce their own 12-month glossy production.

A little more coy than their WI counterparts, the burly bunch at Peterlee mainly stripped off to the waist with just the odd strategically placed firefighter's helmet.

Among them is former Peterlee firefighter, now television and stage personality Jonny Regan who is Mr November.

The calendar costs £3.99 and is available at the station by telephoning 0191-586 3133. There will be copies on sale today at the Peterlee branch of Asda.

The 6,000 print run is selling fast but the crews would like to hear from any outlets willing to sell the calendar.

The men also have plenty more money making ventures in the pipeline, including a race night which will be held at the station in December and another Continental cycle ride next year from Monte Carlo to Italy.

Fire Officer Bob Houghton said yesterday: "We are hoping over the next five years to cycle right around Europe.''