ARTISTIC calendars featuring men and women in various states of undress are set to go on sale later this year to boost the Kemp Hospice Appeal.

The risque idea is the brainchild of Justin Exley, the owner of Just Tan in Kidderminster, who will photograph 24 of his clients.

One 2004 calendar showcasing male volunteers, and one portraying the female form, should be on the shelves by October.

Mr Exley said the black-and-white pictures will be in the same vein as the famous 1980s Athena shots and pledged: "They will be artistic rather than rude."

He added: "Models are not going to have a great deal on but you can make it look like people have nothing on even if they have."

Mr Exley said the project was a challenge but added he was confident all 1,000 calendars he plans to produce could be sold - which means he could hand over £3,000 to the appeal.

Kemp is raising money to convert a former hotel in Kidderminster's Mason Road to a bigger and better base to care for people suffering from cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

It will include a day care centre for 24 patients - due to open by early summer - and a bedded unit for up to nine people.

"Kemp Hospice is close to people's hearts. It means something to them," said Mr Exley.

The owner of the Coventry Street tanning shop and "keen amateur photographer" said he had been surprised by how quickly volunteer models had come forward.

He now only needs a few more men to make a full complement.

He said: "The girls are easier to get than the guys but it's not been particularly difficult. I'm quite surprised people have been as forthcoming as they have."

Some people had chosen to preserve their anonymity by not showing their faces, he added.

Mr Exley decided to do the calendar in November and is currently approaching shops in Kidderminster to see if they will stock the finished product.