Yellow peril for bathers at the Old Grey Mare

A GROUP of fund-raisers will get their just desserts on Saturday, when they hop into a bath full of cold custard.

Rose Bond, landlady at the Old Grey Mare, Royton, will have the kettle on the boil all morning, making gallons of the yellow stuff to fill a nice deep bath.

Bar staff Beth Hughes and Zara Wood will take the plunge, as will Denise Brooke Pattimore, from Hathershaw, who came up with the idea.

The trio will then invite others to join them, taking a turn for a half-hour stint — fully clothed in custard.

The event, which will also have live entertainment, an auction and balloon race, will raise money for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice where staff cared for Denise’s mother 14 years ago.

Fellow organiser Rob Cottrill said: “She wanted to do something for the hospice, where her mother kept patients entertained.”

Rob, who also lives in Royton, said: “I love doing charity work, and cancer is close to my heart as I know plenty of people among work colleagues, family, relatives and friends, who have the disease.

“Dr Kershaw’s is a local hospice and deserves our support.

“I know custard baths can raise plenty of money.”

Supporters are being invited to take their turn in the bath, or to simply turn up to cheer on custard bathers at the pub in Oldham Road, from 2pm on Saturday.

Around £200 has already been pledged in sponsorship, and locals are being urged to chip in on the day to boost the charity fund.