BODY piercing may be an unusual method of fundraising - but these enthusiasts of the art-form used it as a way of raising cash for cancer research.

Nicole Layton, Rebecca Clarke and Jon Archibald - who all work at the York Body Piercing Clinic in Micklegate - spent four hours giving 22-year-old York barman Daryl Harwood 12 new piercings on his back.

The four managed to raise about £330 for Macmillan Cancer Relief with their spine-tingling efforts.

Daryl, who now sports 22 body piercings, said barely an hour after his ordeal that it had not been painful.

He said: "I was amazed at how smoothly it all went."

The trio of piercers applied an anaesthetic cream to Daryl's back before piercing it and fixing 12 "bar bells" to his skin. Head piercer Jon, who has himself 14 piercings in his face alone, said he wanted to raise money for the charity, having been through the hell of cancer twice.

If you would like to know more about cocktails, a "cocktail college" is taking place in York to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief. The event, at Bar 38, will be held from 7pm on Wednesday, May 18, and not as stated in Saturday's Evening Press. For more details phone Nikki Hawkins or Karina Stead on 01904 651700 or email kstead@macmillan.org.uk

Updated: 10:24 Tuesday, May 10, 2005