DOZENS of walkers brazenly put their underwear on full show to help raise money for women living in poverty in Africa.

The Knicker Walk saw participants walk from Southend Pier to Old Leigh as part of an effort to raise £6,000.

The money will be used to buy a machine that will make sanitary towels for a rural village in Zambia.

Therapist Anita Philpott, of Hamstel Road, Southend, organised the walk.

As part of the initiative to help women in Mpongwe, Zambia, Anita has encouraged women in Southend to buy an extra pair of knickers when shopping for themselves, which can then be sent to Africa.

Ms Philpott said: “I need to raise £6,000 to buy the machinery, build a small factory and provide electricity. “We have raised £1,700 in two months.

“The knicker walk was just about raising awareness and money and collecting knickers to send to Africa. to help these ladies.”

The organiser was delighted with the turnout at Sunday’s event.

Ms Philpott added: “It was such a joyous group of people.

“We walked from the Southend Pier to Old Leigh and there were lots of families, children, and even dogs.”

To find out more about the campaign, email bigknickercampaign@yahoo.co.uk.