WHEN madcap fundraiser Mark Mudie launched an appeal to find another funeral director willing to strip for charity little was he expecting the appeal to go nationwide.

Thanks to our article pleading for another member for the Full Monty-style strip show, the answer to his prayers came in the form of Jonathan Howell, a funeral parlour worker from Staffordshire.

Jonathan's boss Jonathan Wait was visiting friends in Southampton when he spotted our story and immediately knew who would fit the bill.

Now Jonathan, known as Granville, is making the 160-mile trip every weekend from Lichfield to practise with the rest of the team for the Funeral Monty show next month.

The strapping 27-year-old said he was surprised when he discovered his boss had put him forward.

He said: "I am just amazed really. To be honest Jonathan said I was interested in doing it before I really knew much about it but I would really do anything for a good laugh and it is for charity so I thought why not?"

Although he has no previous cabaret experience, Granville's credentials of having an abundance of confidence, a morning suit and a sense of humour were all that was required for Mark and his team.

Event organiser Mark, who runs Solent Funeral Services in Lee-on-the-Solent, said he was amazed at the response.

He said: "I was bowled over when I heard he was from Staffordshire but that just shows what some people will do for a good cause.

"It is fantastic he is willing to come down here and rehearse and I am sure he will be on form for the show in February."

Plans for the Funeral Monty show in aid of the Mayor of Gosport's charities were put on hold after a member of the group had to pull out at the last minute, prompting Mark to contact the Daily Echo.

He said: "It was incredible to think that word had spread as far as Staffordshire."

Now rehear-sals are well under way for the show that is to be staged at Gosport's Thorngate Halls on February 8 and 9.

Among the charities set to benefit is The Rainbow Centre in Fareham, which helps support families of children with cerebral palsy.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "It is fantastic the way people just keep supporting the charity."