A MASS arrest with a bus-load of felons being carted off the jail, was due take place in Worcester today.

Chief executives, councillors, and a shopping centre manager were to spend a day behind bars as part of a fun Jail and Bail event in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

"After the arrests at the Chamber of Commerce in Castle Street, the felons were being driven off to Hereford to spend time incarcerated in the Bishop's Palace," said fund-raiser Joy Cartwright.

Once the prisoners arrived in Hereford, they were due to be herded off the bus and their crimes read aloud by Hay-on-Wye's Town Crier, Ken Smith.

"Their offences have been chosen by their staff and colleagues and range from stripping in a public place, to being in possession of a cute backside, to limbo dancing on the Sabbath," said Mrs Cartwright.

Once at the Bishop's Palace, the felons had to start raising their bail, if they wanted to be released.

"Everyone involved will try to raise at least £250 for their bail and most of them will be raising more than that," said Mrs Cartwright.

"In all, we should make £10,000 from the day. Each one of the felons will be making an important contribution to our work to beat cancer and hopefully they will all have a wonderful day out."

Those prisoners who could raise bail would enjoy lunch at the Bishop's Palace, then make their getaway in businessman Paul Bundy's helicopter.

The felons include Worcester's CrownGate Shopping Centre manager Trevor Lloyd Adams, Malvern Hills District Council chief executive Chris Bocock, and chairman, Barbara Williams, Classic Gold chief executive Muff Murfin, DJ Big Rich and Councillor Marcelle Lloyd Hayes of Herefordshire Council.