Miss January: Sue McCormack

They hope the �7 calendars will help realise Andrew's dreams of taking part in the games.

Bev Backhouse, centre manager, said: "We wanted to show that we can get out there and do something for ourselves to raise this money.

"We had written to all the big companies nearby asking for help but, because they are inundated with these sorts of requests, we did not get anything back.

"Then we all sat down and thought about what we could do and our administrator, Sue McCormack, came up with the idea of a calendar."

Local help

The next step was to ask their husbands and boyfriends for advice on what they would like to see.

Mrs Backhouse said: "They all said they would wanted us in jodhpurs and boots so that is what we have done.

"Some of the women here needed more persuading to take part than others but when they realised how professional it was they were all willing to do it."

The Yorkshire WI calendar raised more than �330,000

A local photographer and hairdresser gave their time to help prepare the women for their modelling sessions and take the shots.

Mrs Backhouse - who at 45 years old is the most senior of the models - is seen wearing a lacy top and riding trousers while brandishing a whip.

She joked: "When my husband saw the photo he asked: 'Why don't you ever dress like that for me.' "

The calendar will go on sale at the riding centre, which employs 13 staff and boasts 25 volunteer helpers.

Similar success

Andrew, who is disabled in his right leg and arm, said: "I was shocked when I found out the calendar was to help me - I thought it was to raise money for the whole centre.

"I am training hard for the games and I hope I'll be able to get there."

Staff at the centre hope the calendar will follow the success of other similar publications, including one by the Women's Institute in Yorkshire which helped raise �330,000 and brought them television fame.