SHOPPERS could not believe their eyes when 20 strapping men took to the streets in pink and lavender tutus.

People watched in amazement as the 'pink fairies' and 'lavender luvvies' were blindfolded and bundled into taxis to take them to an undisclosed location, abandoning them to find their own way back without any money or means of communication.

The costumes were worn by members of Shildon Town Rugby Club, as part of an unusual charity stunt.

Club treasurer John Higham, 30, said that the club had wanted to do something different to raise money for the Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland. He said: "We started raising money for the hospice two years ago when we had a memorial for one of our members, Paul Fitt.

"We are a daft bunch and we like doing daft things so we thought why not do something like this and raise money for the hospice at the same time.''

Mr Higham said the support from members of the club and businesses in the town had been unbelievable.

He said: "It is not just the players but friends and members of the club have also joined in. I would like to thank all the local businesses who have sponsored us.''

The group set off from the Three Tuns pub in the town and were dropped off in pairs 15 miles away by team sponsors D A Taxis before having to make their own way back.

Pub landlord Billy Drennan raised £200 when team mate Steve Oxenham, of Clems Fish and Chip shop in the town, sponsored him on the spur of the moment to dance down the main street and do a pirouette in front of his shop.

Sylvia Stoneham, of the hospice, said that the club had put a huge effort into the event, raising at least £4,000.

She said: "It is fantastic some of them even volunteered to have their chests waxed when they got back.''