SEXY dancers will be going topless at a charity lapdance tonight to raise money for a three-year-old autistic boy.

The unusual fund-raiser will help to send Droitwich toddler Zak Price to America to be treated for his condition, which sees him refusing to eat for days on end.

But his parents, Kerry and Neil, of Winslow Avenue, were forced to rethink when the hotel hosting the event cancelled their booking.

Eighty people had already booked tickets for the "gentlemen's night" at St Andrew's House Hotel when it was scratched with eight days to go.

The deputy manager of the hotel, Diane Grant, said she did not know the reason for the cancellation, but added: "We have got a full house of residents tomorrow. This type of gentlemen's entertainment might not be suitable."

The event was to include dinner for up to 110 people, with lap dancers, virtual horse racing, a charity auction and a comedian.

But when the hotel cancelled the booking, all tickets had to be returned.

Now publicans Nick and Sarah Oakes, of the Doverdale Arms, Stalls Farm Road, Droitwich, have come to the rescue with the offer of a room so the private event can go ahead, but without the dinner.

Tickets have had to be sold again, this time at £4 per head, dashing hopes of raising the full £1,000 for Zak's trip.

Zak has been difficult to feed from birth, refuses to eat, does not talk and has temper tantrums.

His mum, Kerry, believes he could be helped by the Son Rise programme, an intensive method taught at a centre in Massachusetts.

"He has improved since he has been at Thornton House Nursery School in Worcester, but still sometimes goes for whole days without eating," said Mrs Price.

The event at the Doverdale Arms starts at 8pm and tickets are still available. These can be bought on the door.

The dancers are from a Birmingham club.