He may not have Rod Stewart's money or looks but a girl just can't resist those soulful eyes.

Supermodel Rachel Hunter, who split from the millionaire singer five years ago, is so passionate about the plight of gorillas she stripped off to her undies to raise cash for a silverback and his pals.

Rachel originally donned the fur bikini in summer to promote a range of low-carb snacks, re-enacting screen legend Raquel Welch's famous pose in the Sixties film One Million Years BC.

Now she is hoping the costume will raise thousands of pounds for the Horsham-based animal conservation charity the Born Free Foundation.

The costume was made for Rachel, 36, by Academy Costumes, which worked on films such as Tomb Raider and Love Actually.

She has agreed to offer it on internet auction site eBay for a week, from Monday, to raise money for Born Free's gorilla appeal.

Rachel has supported the charity for many years and she is hoping proceeds from the auction will add to the £175,000 needed to secure the building of a new enclosure at the Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon.

Rachel travelled from the US to Africa to raise awareness and funds for the appeal.

Rachel said: "Adult gorillas are being poached for their meat - baby gorillas stolen for the pet trade. I spent a week in West Africa seeing this for myself. I am horrified. I am determined to do something about it."

She was unable to gain access to the Kahuzi Biega National Park, which is 95 per cent under rebel control, and went on with the Born Free team to the Ugandan, Congo and Rwandanborder, coming face to face with the protected and highly endangered cousin of the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, the Mountain Gorilla.

She said: "These animals live in peaceful co-operative societies, they are highly intelligent and share 97.7 per cent of our genes. The situation in the Congo is a travesty.

"The international community must help."

Also on offer on eBay is a signed photograph of Rachel wearing the outfit.