Organisers of the Great North Bikini Challege hope to put Bondi Beach in the shade this summer by encouraging more than a thousand women to parade in their itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny's on Redcar's sands.

The event, which happens at 11am on Sunday, July 20, will attempt to smash the world record for the largest number of women photographed in bikinis at the same time, which was set on Australia's famous surf-spot last September.

The figure they have to beat is 1,010, but Middlesbrough Erimus Rotary Club hopes the girls will show what they're made of by rising to the challenge.

And it's hoped their efforts will raise up to £20,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance.

Over the years, Middlesbrough Erimus has supported many local charities and, since 2001, has raised more than £65,000 through a series of walks over the Transporter Bridge.

But fuelled by a desire to do something different, they've now come up with the latest eye-popping idea.

Organiser Mike Robson, IT manager at Cleveland Cable Company, said: "I was browsing the internet about world records and saw a picture from the Bondi Beach event.

"It looked very staged - most of the girls had the same type of bikini and had obviously been brought in - and I just thought we could do better than 1,010.

"Then in Miami, where they tried and failed to beat the record, they were offering incentives like designer bikinis, yet they still didn't do it.

"I don't think we'll need any incentives for the girls of the North-east to be up for this, especially as it's for such a good cause."

Redcar and Cleveland Council, Tees Valley Leisure and Yarm businesses, Bizou Boutique and The Keys Night Club, have already pledged support. To take part you must be 16 or over.

As well as the £5 entry fee, which will go to the GNAA, it's hoped ladies will get sponsored to help capture the record from the Aussies.

Tens of thousands of men are expected to turn up on the day, some equipped with binoculars and cameras.