HOW far would you go for your favourite charity?

Malpas firefighter Rick Evans, a 37-year-old ex-testicular cancer patient, persuaded six colleagues to join him in doing The Full Monty at Cardiff City Hall in aid of the Velindre Hospital Cancer Appeal.

The crowd rushed from their seats as the seven men took the stage last night in their firefighters' uniforms, to the sound of You Can Leave Your Hat On.

To the screams of the mostly female crowd, the firemen stripped down to red thongs, which were replaced by helmets and thrown into the audience.

On the last beat of the song the seven men turned round to reveal 'Velindre Appeal' written on their backsides in dayglo pink and green.

Mr Evans, from Portskewett, and fellow stripper Chris Davies, 37, from Cwmbran, are running the London Marathon next year, immediately after walking from Edinburgh to London in 10 days, in aid of the Velindre Hospital Cancer appeal and the Firefighters' Benevelont Fund.

Mike Paul, 35, from Newport, said the lads were more than ready to help out their friend, adding: "My mum is being treated for cancer now so I was happy to help out."