Stripping is not normally part of a paramedic's job description, but that's what Casualty star Matthew Wait had to do for a charity calendar.

The Brighton-based actor, who plays the rugged footballer turned ambulanceman Luke Warren in the BBC hospital drama series, will no doubt set hearts racing with his barely-there poses.

Matthew, 38, stripped off with other cast members to produce the slinky shots for a new Children In Need charity calendar.

Matthew, who lives with his wife and two children, said: "We didn't really strip off at all.

"There was a designer working with us and she was just ripping up sheets and wrapping them up around people.

"I had a sheet tied round my waist and a couple of cuffs on my arms."

The pictures were taken by famous photographer Lord Patrick Lichfield, who appears in some of the episodes as the calendar forms part of the storyline.

In the popular Saturday night drama the staff of Holby City casualty department decide to produce the calendar to raise money for the Holby Disaster Fund.

The appeal was launched after a spectacular train crash plot line which signalled the start of the latest series.

Matthew said: "Patrick had a rope draped round me. He took one shot and said: 'Matthew, I think we are done'.

"It was just one shot and it was an absolute doddle, although I am not so sure the others had it so easy.

"It was good for me though, as I am not a big fan of photoshoots anyway."

Matthew, who is originally from Sheffield, joined Casualty about nine months ago as a Holby footballer whose career was ruined by injury.

He was forced to reassess his life and his pampered, shallow existence, but a chance meeting with a paramedic led to him becoming one, landing a job at Holby City.

Matthew, who commutes between Brighton and Bristol for filming, said: "The photoshoot for me wasn't photographed and filmed at the same time although Patrick is in one episode.

"It really is a beautiful calendar and because it is for Children In Need I think everyone thought it was a good idea.

"I am sure it will go on my nan's wall for the next 20 years."

Radio Times teamed up with the cast of the long-running hospital drama Casualty and Lord Lichfield to produce the 2004 calendar.

Lord Lichfield was asked to shoot a different kind of calendar, working solely with props only found in an NHS hospital and the cast of Casualty.

He said: "With a few sheets, safety pins and bandages, and a group of actors who rose to the challenge, we were able to shoot it all in two-and-a-half days, with no great difficulty."

The calendar features 13 provocative poses by cast members wearing things such as a halter made from bandages and sheeting, an elasticated body brace support held together by safety pins and a stethoscope medallion hung on linked safety pins and a plaited bandage headpiece.

The Radio Times Casualty Calendar costs £8.50, with all profits going to Children In Need.

It can be pre-ordered for delivery with a credit card by calling the RT Reader Offer line on 0870 770 7979 and quoting the reference RTC ALE.

It can also be ordered by post by sending a cheque or postal order made out to BBC Worldwide to RT CASUALTY CALENDAR OFFER RTCALS, PO Box 326, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8FA.

Customers should allow up to 21 days for delivery.