A GAME pair of cricketers showed of a bit of leg yesterday in aid of a children's charity appeal.

Durham county cricketers Nicky Hatch and Martin Speight abandoned their traditional whites and dressed in inappropriate trousers and other clothing for the event.

The bowler and the wicket keeper donned colourful attire to publicise the Wallace and Gromit Wrong Trousers Day.

The regionwide event takes place tomorrow when office workers, and other workers will be encouraged to go to work dressed outlandishly and pay for the privilege, raising £15,000 for Stockton's Butterwick Children's Hospice along the way.

The players sported their non-sporting garish colours at the club's Riverside Stadium in Chester-le-Street.

Speight wore a checked jacket and red trousers and Hatch an Afghan coat. They are just two of the club who will be taking part in the bad taste clothing event.

Club marketing officer James Bailey said: "We support the children's hospice because it's a very worthwhile charity and the players have had some fun."

Trevor Newlove, hospice fundraising officer, said: "The idea came from Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Parkes, who gave it to one of his films and approved it being used by the hospice.

"We're expecting thousands of people throughout the North-East to take part from a wide variety of companies and groups."

He added: "We want to repeat the idea next year because we expect it to be a great success."