The men and women took to the catwalk of a charity fashion show, stripping down to their underwear, in support of Animals Asia Foundation – a charity fighting animal welfare issues across Asia.

The event at Todmorden Town Hall, called I Can't Bear It 2008, was organised by Todmorden woman Jo Royle, who was one of the models in the show.

Jo and her friends came up with the idea after hearing about the conditions in which thousands of bears are kept, particularly in the Far East where the animals are milked for bile which is used in traditional Chinese medicines.

They hope the event, which was sponsored by James Shepherd of Hebden Bridge, will raised cash towards the costs of adopting a newly rescued bear which they plan to call Manchester.

Men's and women's fashions, bridalwear and lingerie from a range of local shops were in the spotlight at the event.

It included stock from Romanza in Hebden Bridge, Halo in Todmorden, Clogg in Hebden Bridge and Louise Greenwood Bridalwear from Rawtenstall.

There were also two dances choreographed by Stacey Woodall.

Other businesses also got behind the show with Lambert Printers of Hebden Bridge producing the promotional material, Jae Campbell and the team at the Ground Floor Centre, in Hebden Bridge, providing practice space, and others giving raffle prizes.

Jo said: "The show was raunchy, professional and entertaining.

"What happens to the bears is shocking and I wanted to put on a show that is slightly surprising to get as many people interested as possible.

"Some of the models are young mothers and so they really braved it by modelling underwear for the sake of the bears.

"We all really want to make a difference."

Around 150 people attended helping raise more than £850.