Women of Epsom have been denied the chance to see these fit young men after Sainsbury's decided they were simply too sexy for the town.

The firemen, who model for the official firefighter calendar, were due to man a charity car wash at its Kiln Lane branch on Saturday.

But the store pulled the plug on the event earlier this week after receiving several complaints from outraged residents.

They had seen posters of the men wearing no tops plastered round the store advertising the event and apparently felt that topless car washing was completely inappropriate.

What they didn't know was that the guys always intended to keep their tops on.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said, "We are happy to host charity collections and there are charity and local group events in our store most weekends.

"On this occasion we had a number of complaints from customers when the posters went up in the store, and we felt that we had no alternative but to cancel.

"We apologise sincerely for the fire fighters disappointment and have offered to host an alternative event when it is convenient for them to do so."

James Lloyd-Roberts, fire fighter and photographer for the calendar, said: "They thought that it was a bit too sexy.

"The funny thing is that they put the posters up.

"It’s just a bit of a shame.

"It’s a mix-up really because the guys weren’t going to be topless when they were washing the cars."

Leah Mullis, 29, from Epsom said: "I can’t see that it would do any harm.

"I hadn’t heard about the event but I don’t really understand why it would cause any offence.

"If it’s to raise money I really can’t see why it should be cancelled.

"I’m sure I wouldn’t complain and I don’t know what sort of person would do that,"

"It’s a funny old town but it does seem like some busy body who has got nothing better to do than rally against something like that.

"They should put their energy towards something that needs it."

The firefighters, were planning to raise money for three fire charities; The Fire Fighters Charity, Operation Florian and Kamloops Fire Fighters: Operation Nicaragua.

Despite being snubbed by Sainsbury’s, the calendar boys still plan to drive across the US from New York to LA in a fire engine later this year, which they will then be donated to a small town in Nicaragua.

You can still make a £2 donation by texting FIRE662 to 70070.

For more information on the fire fighters calendar visit www.firemenmodels.com