CHIPPENHAM fire station's charity calendar was getting Christmas shoppers hot under the collar this week.

The firefighters were inspired to quite literally get their kit off for a good cause after a group of Women's Institute members did the same two years ago.

The idea for a calendar had been in the pipeline for months. However, in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the men decided to use the project to focus on raising money for their American colleagues and their families.

Less than two months after an appeal to local businesses for sponsorship, the finished product is in shops in time for Christmas.

Temporary leading firefighter, Jack Nicholson, said: "I think we've done ourselves proud, and we're getting some regretful looks from the guys who decided not to be in it."

Mr Nicholson said the response from local businesses who sponsored the calendar, including the Gazette, had been very good.

"Now we're just hoping for an equally good response from the buying public," he said.

The calendars, can be bought from stores throughout Chippenham, from the town's post office or from the Chippenham Gazette office.