WHEN Kirsty Davies asked if anybody wanted to perform in a burlesque show she had quite a reaction.

The personal trainer invited women to put on a show with her in corsets and high heels and was inundated with responses from women aged 20 to their 60s who wanted to learn the art of striptease.

Kirsty, who runs Bodyfit Revolution, has now trained up a team of showstoppers over the last six months and they are putting on a show.

The 27-year-old, from Eastbourne, said: “I did burlesque a few years ago but never did any performances. After having my son in December last year I wanted to do something for myself, something to show women that, no matter what your age, shape or size, you are beautiful and you should be confident in that.”

The group will dance to a varied soundtrack, from Michael Buble to the Pussycat Dolls, and promise an evening of ‘non-stop action’ after selling hundreds of tickets already.

Kirsty added: “I didn’t want them all to be exactly the same because that’s not what it’s all about. It’s about showing who they are, and I’ve never known a better bunch of ladies.

“There’s such a wide range of people, some have danced before, some haven’t, and others didn’t even know what burlesque is. When we started they were so shy but they’ve come out of their shells and their confidence has grown so much, they’re completely different women to those that walked in a few months ago.”

Those performing include carers, beauty therapists, stay-at-home mums and nurses.

Teresa Chapman, a 44-year-old hairdresser, said: “Someone put up a post asking if anyone would be interested in a burlesque event. I turned up with a group of friends and there were loads of women, with ages ranging from their early 20s to people in their 60s.”

They have been meeting at least once a week to choreograph, learn and practice their routines as well as preparing costumes and props.

Teresa said: “A lot of the dance moves were done by Kirsty, but we have been able to change whatever we want so there has been a lot of freedom with our choreography and costumes, leading to a really personalised performance. I’ve never danced in public before but now I’m doing it in what are basically my underpants.

“It’s a terrifying idea, but it’s also really liberating and I’ve never felt so comfortable with a group of strangers before, we’ve all become really close.”

The performance will take place at Cumnor House Sussex, Haywards Heath on October 20.

It will also host a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses, and all proceeds from the evening will be donated to Demelza Children’s Hospice.