LOCALS people stripped down to their bare essentials to raise cash for a vital emergency service in the area.

Allan and Vanessa Riley, of Bolton-le-Sands; and Jola Zalesiak and Angela Brash, from Lancaster, posed for next year’s North West Air Ambulance ‘Bare in the Air’ calendar.

Proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go towards the funds needed to keep the air ambulance flying the skies of the North West and saving people’s lives.

Among those who dropped their draws for the shoot were Mandy Dixon, 30, and Katie O’Brien, 32, from Windermere (pictured ).

The duo were photographed washing the helicopter in the air hangar for the May page of the calendar.

“It was brilliant – absolutely fantastic,” said Ms O’Brien. “We were a bit nervous at first as we were the last ones to have our picture taken, but once we took off our dressing gowns and started splashing around, the nerves disappeared and we found it really funny. We had such a good laugh and I think we are the only ones laughing hysterically in the pictures.”

Ms Dixon also enjoyed the experience and said: “I think we should all do as much as we can for charity. I was nervous about doing it but it was absolutely brilliant. My friends and family are really proud of me and have said that they can’t believe that we did it and that we are really brave.”

Allan and Vanessa Riley, from Bolton-le-Sands, also stripped off for the calendar. Appearing on the back page, the couple strike a united pose in aid of the charity.

And Angela Brash, of Lancaster, said: “I work for a private ambulance service and we sometimes work with the air ambulance and, knowing the work they do, I could not miss the opportunity to help them raise money. It is a crucial service and we do need it so much and I believe that they should receive government funding and so I am very keen to help them raise money.”

The calendar costs £5 and is available at most Booths supermarkets.