Feast your mince pies on these Christmas crackers! Although actors are better known for baring their souls, this south Essex troupe has gone one step further.

Members of amateur dramatics ensemble, the Little Theatre Club, based in Southend, have stripped off to promote a racy new festive calendar.

The 100-strong group wants to ensure its next production, a farce about the antics of amateur dramatics at the New Empire Theatre in Southend, goes off with a bang.

All proceeds will go towards keeping the club, established in 1949, running a programme of two musicals a year.

Shirley Wolf, from the club, said: "Our producer Stephanie Wilson suggested the idea for the calendar and initially some of us thought 'oh no', as we are not exactly in our prime.

"However, once we all got into the spirit of it we had a jolly good laugh and are thrilled to bits with the results."

Nearly 200 calendars are being printed up and will be available both from club members and at the New Empire.

Gift-wrapped - theatre group cast members pose for their fundraising calendar

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