Horden Rugby Club players posed as women for the game match against the all-female team in aid of Peterlee Mayor Mary Cartwright's charity fund.

In a further twist, the men's team played while wearing wellies tied in the middle with string.

Shirley's Girlies, named after rugby clubhouse manager Shirley Tait, won the game 10-5 and £210 was raised which will be split equally between the Mayor's fund and Horden businessman Dick Graham's Schools for Gambia charity.

Although Mayor Cartwright, who had intended to play in the match, had to pull out due to an injury, she said the day went well and added: "It went even better than I expected. I'm thinking of having a big cup made for it if the rugby club holds this event every year."

Mayor Cartwright, who steps down from her civic role later this week after a year, added: "I didn't play unfortunately. The doctor said I had pulled a ligament in my back."

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