WHEN Anne Broomfield heard she was being locked up for shoplifting men's underwear she couldn't help but laugh.

A far cry from the truth -- Anne, of Princess Street in Atherton, had actually volunteered to be locked in a police cell for 12 hours to raise money for Atherton couple Ilsa and Bob Splaine's annual Christie's crusade.

The plucky 49-year-old arrived at Tyldesley Police Station armed with a few home comforts including a camp bed, a crossword book and a portable radio. Other than those items she was treated the same as any other prisoner would have been, she was brought food and even used a bucket as a toilet.

Anne wanted to help the Wigan councillor and his wife raise money for Christie's after her grandad and two friends died of cancer, but suffering from arthritis, couldn't repeat the two-hour sponsored keep-fit she did in 1989, which is when she came up with this novel idea.

"I used to work for Merseyside Police and have a lot of contact with the police. I don't know where the idea came from really it just seemed a good idea, especially with the cells at Tyldesley not being used anymore."

Anne's 12-hour ordeal managed to raise £300 for the charity and taught her a thing or two about being a prisoner.

Jokers at the station made a sign for Anne's door reading: "Anne Broomfield -- shoplifting men's underwear. Do not release until 8pm."

Anne said of her experience: "It went alright, but I wouldn't like to be a real prisoner. It was lonely with nobody to talk to, just looking at those four walls, but if I have the opportunity to do it again to raise money I will -- maybe for 24 hours next time!"