A MATURE rugby team from the region is preparing to tour South Africa thanks to the successes of its nude calendar.

Clem's Pirates RFC raised so much money from the sale of the saucy calendar that it made a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as well as paying for the tour.

Players in the over-35s team come from ten of the region's clubs including Gosforth, Durham, Consett, Newton Aycliffe, Darlington.

The team have a had a lot of interest from South African veteran sides wanting to take on the team during the tour next month.

Club secretary Andrew Oxenham, who formed the team four years ago, said: "We are in the process of collecting old or used kit from various local sports clubs that we can hand out to the under-privileged children of the Cape Town area."

Kits can be left at Clem's Fish Restaurants, 61 Front Street, Chester-le-Street.