STRETCHED out across his tractor and wearing nothing more than a cheeky smile, North-East farmer Richard Hodgson is proud of his model looks.

Featuring as Mr April in the 2004 Farmers Calendar, the 40-year-old from Ingleton, near Darlington, has jumped on the fundraising bandwagon and stripped off in aid of charity.

The black and white calendar, available nationwide, has already raised £65,000 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution since its launch in 1999.

Mr Hodgson volunteered to be one of next year's pin-ups and had no qualms about posing nude when the photographs were shot in February.

"I don't have any hang-ups about stripping off, especially when the calendar is for such a good cause," he said.

The calendar is the brainchild of Devon farmer Paul Westlake and photographer Nicola de Pulford. The pair said they are always on the look out for models from the North-East to appear in future calendars.

The calendars are available in many farming outlets and shops or by visiting the website www.thefarmerscalendar.co.uk. They can also be mail ordered for £5.99, including postage and packaging, by calling (01548) 821207.