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The Catwalkers of Barton are a group of people who come together from all parts of Northern Lincolnshire to put on fashion shows to help raise money for local charities. The group have been putting on shows since 1990 and the picture above shows the Catwalkers in their early days on stage.

Nigel Pinchbeck is the producer of Catwalkers 2008 which is being put on at the Plowright Theatre in Scunthorpe. He's been with the group since it's inception and says that year after year audiences are appreciative of the shows they produce. He says the shows have upwards of 80 people working on them either, on stage, backstage and also front of house. The age range of the people involved is large with models in their teens but older people are catered for.

Many of the fashions on display are provided by local retailers who see it as an opportunity to show what they have to offer whilst helping the charities involved by loaning their clothes free of charge. The Catwalkers' models are always careful with the clothes they wear on stage to ensure that they are returned in tip-top condition. In the past sometimes, parts of the show are given over to young student designers who are learning the trade in the hope of becoming fully fledged designers in the future.

Many of the people through the Catwalkers have learnt many new skills by taking part. Visiting the Radio Humberside studios, Nigel was joined by Jamie Welch, Danny Bromfield and Karen Sandall.

Jamie was a model with the Catwalkers in the mid-nineties, but in the last few years has taken on the role of choreographer. Danny explained that he became a model when his dad, who was due to appear one year dropped out at the last moment and Danny became his replacement. His wife, Davina whom he met through the Catwalkers is also a member of the choreographer team. Karen also began as a model but is also heavily involved with the choreography side and is indebted to her daughters who keep an eye on current trends to ensure that the models are reflecting 21st century styles.

As for the clothing, the team say these days tv fashion designers are having a huge influence on what members of public are buying and wearing on the high street. Style gurus Gok Wan and Trinny and Susannah are taking affordable fashions to a wider audience and the Catwalkers feel they're giving the same opportunity for people to see for themselves in a live setting the same sort of designs.

Nigel says the shows although great fun are quite demanding and require a lot of rehearsal. With so many people and lots of 'changes' talking place the team of stylists, hairdressers and choreographers need to work together. This is the reason why the show takes many months to be put together.

Tickets for this year's charity show, which also includes some surprises which the team wouldn't be drawn on and an appearance by some of the area's firefighters, cost 拢8 with the proceeds going to many local charities. Details of where the tickets can be obtained can be found on the Catwalkers' website. There's a link at the top right hand side of this page.