Twelve strapping footballers admitted to more than a touch of nerves when they had an encounter with a bottle of bleach.

The members of Lansdowne Rangers football club, who play in the Southend sceptre league but are based in Basildon, each became a dazzling blond for charity.

They took it in turns to be bleached by hairdressers at Styles, in Timberlog Lane, Basildon.

Striker and club secretary Martin Bell, 33, of Clickett Side, Basildon, said: "Everyone was feeling a bit nervous except me because I had my hair bleached when Gazza did a couple of years ago.

"Some have got to go to weddings and christenings in the next three or four weeks so they're hoping it grows out pretty quickly!"

Around £1,000 was raised for the Echo and Telewest's ultrasound scanner appeal for Basildon Hospital.

Lotta bottle - Styles manageress Jane Higgins shows captain Martin Bell his new look

Picture: MAXINE CLARK

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