ALL IN A GOOD CAUSE: Broad Oak village hall - the scene of and reason for the strip

IT'S the last thing you would expect to see at a sleepy village hall.

But next month, more than 100 women of all ages will cram into Broad Oak village hall, near Heathfield, for a steamy Full Monty-style strip.

Behind closed doors, two men will reveal all to an enthusiastic female crowd - and it's all in the name of fund-raising.

Village hall committee members, known as the Broad Oak Ladies, first dreamt up the idea to net urgent funds in 1995, when two male strippers packed the village hall to help pay for a new roof.

Since then they have never looked back.

In 1997, a fire-eating fireman stripper did his thing to another excited audience.

And on June 11, a drag artist and two more men, professional actors from a theatrical agency, will drop their pants to help fund new central heating.

Tickets are already selling for the raunchy act which does not end with cleverly placed hats.

Rosemary Thompson, chairman of the village hall management committee, said: "They go all the way, and I mean all the way, totally naked.

"We get all sorts of ladies through the door, young and old, mothers and grandmothers.

"The ones you would expect to be there say 'Oh I couldn't, it would be far too embarrassing' and those who you would least expect to see come andlove it.

"It all started in 1995 when we had to raise some money. Raising money for a village hall is very difficult. We had to think of something different.

"The idea was a joke at first, but it really took off. 1,400 women come along for a laugh. There are blokes standing there flaunting themselves, it's great fun.

"We are not forcing people to come, and we have never been directly approached by people complaining or saying we do not think it is suitable.

"It is strictly adults only, and we have bouncers on the door."

Most villagers see it as an acceptable way of maintaining a vital facility.Coun Margaret Kirkpatrick, a member of Wealden District Council who lives in Broad Oak, said: "It is not my thing, but I have not heard anybody say anything against it or for it."

Local vicar the Rev Geoff Pickering refused to comment.

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