A CHAIN of bras measuring more than three miles was strung across Great Bentley Green in the name of charity.

The sponsored bra challenge was staged by Clacton Lions in aid of the chemotherapy unit at Essex County Hospital, Colchester, to improve the conditions for patients who have breast cancer.

On Saturday, the Lions managed to lay out 3.08 miles of bras, but the lack of time and space stopped them making it longer.

Ladies around the district had donated more than 5,000 bras. Some arrived in the post, addressed Bras, Clacton. One special bra was devised by Clacton Amateur Dramatic Society for its next production, Are You being Served?

Adrian Robinson, one of the organisers, said: “Saturday was very blustery which always threatened to send the whole chain off into Suffolk.”

Sadly, the Lions were miles off the world record set in August this year in Bundaberg, south-east Queensland, Australia, of more than 166,000 bras stretching over 101 miles.

Despite not breaking the record, the money raised will help the cancer unit and the bras will be sent to the Third World and Eastern Europe, to be reused as part of the Lions recycling initiatives.

l Any charities needing bras in a clean condition, can contact the Lions’ helpline on 0845 8337367.