PUMPED-UP prison PE instructor Mark Elliot, from York, has paraded his perfect pecs for a new calendar of Prison Service pin-ups, which is released today.

Mark, 37, a former firefighter and Army physical training instructor, has teamed up with 11 other physical education officers from prisons across England and Wales to follow in the footsteps of Women's Institute members and firefighters who have stripped off for saucy calendars.

His toned torso features on the cover of The Reformers 2002 calendar, which is being launched at a star-studded bash in London.

Copies of the calendar are being sold in a bid to raise £100,000 for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital Charity and The Prison Service Charity Fund and to promote the work of Prison Service staff.

Physical education officers develop teamwork and self-confidence among inmates through pioneering techniques and link gym work to basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Fitness fanatic Mark, who has a passion for dangerous sports, said: "What we are about is giving prisoners a little bit of discipline into education. Physical education is a fantastic way of getting their attention and it gives us a chance to have a learning environment in the gym.

"We have had a bit of a laugh making the calendar but there's a serious bid to raise money behind it."

Helpinghandz, the company producing the calendar, is also releasing a fitness video by the group.

Fans of fine physiques can order the calendar or video by visiting the group's dedicated website at www.theprisonofficers.com or by calling the hotline on 01709 515818.

Updated: 08:43 Thursday, October 04, 2001