13220/1GAZETTE & HERALD: CAR boot sales and sponsored walks may be conventional ways of raising money, but when Chippenham Under 16s Rugby Club wanted to fund a tour of Italy, the players donned bikinis.

Ryan Surry, David Newman and Matt Jenkins, all 18, risked their modesty and wolf-whistles from passing motorists for the car wash with a difference at West Cepen Way in Chippenham.

Mr Surry, of Waters Edge Road, said: "We just wanted to raise as much money as we could for the rugby club.

"It was the first time we'd put women's clothes on but even though it was embarrassing at first, it was a good laugh and it certainly amused the motorists."

The under 16s are going on tour to Italy in August where they will be playing two Italian teams.

More accustomed to scrumming down in the mud than getting soapy in girls' swimsuits, the boys were

nevertheless unpeturbed by their

unusual garb and set about washing cars in earnest.

The novelty of rugby players in bikinis obviously did the trick, because the boys washed nearly 20 cars in the lay-by near the rugby club.

There was also a barbecue, bungee running and other events and the day as a whole raised £700.

Ryan's father, Roger Surry, 48, who coaches the under 16s said: "All the cars going past were hooting their horns, everyone thought it was hilarious. Everyone had a great day. There was a barbecue, bungee running and lots of other things going on."