IT'S not every day that 20 strapping blokes take to the streets in far-from-fetching pink and lavender tutus.

The pink fairies and lavender luvvies attracted more than a few bemused stares from passers-by - but most wisely kept any sarcastic comments to themselves.

For the well-built members of Shildon Town Rugby Football Club, in County Durham, wore the costumes during an unusual charity stunt.

They were blindfolded and bundled into taxis, and driven to an undisclosed location, where they were left to find their own way back, without money or means of communication.

Club treasurer John Higham, 30, said 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 in memory of one of our members, Paul Fitt.

"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 club members and local businesses had been unbelievable.

The group set off from the Three Tuns pub, in Shildon, on Saturday afternoon and were dropped off in pairs 15 miles away by team sponsor D A Taxis.

Pub landlord Billy Drennan raised £200 when team-mate Steve Oxenham, from Clem's fish and chip shop, sponsored him on the spur of the moment to dance down the main street - and to finish off with a pirouette in front of his shop.

Sylvia Stoneham, of the hospice, praised the rugby players for the huge effort they put into the event, raising at least £4,000.

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