A GROUP of local cheerleaders were shocked when their professional photo shoot ended up in a top shelf magazine.

The Cowgirls,' who perform regularly at Super League matches for the London Broncos Rugby League team at Griffin Park, Brentford, had been asked to appear in a new magazine to promote the sport. Believing the magazine to be of the same ilk as FHM and Loaded the girls headed down to a London studio.

Cowgirl choreographer Leyla Husseyin was first to spot something amiss: "There were some rather dodgy photos on the wall and the girls became a bit wary, but the guy who was photographing us was very nice."

The eight professionally trained dancers posed for several group shots decked out in their red and white cheerleading uniforms, including cowboy boots and hats. The girls were not asked to remove any articles of clothing during the shoot.

Leyla added: "We are role models for the young girls who attend the matches so we would never compromise our professional image. We were once asked to appear on Sky Sport's Soccer AM in a hot tub wearing bikinis but we would only do it in our Cowgirl costumes, so we sat in the tub fully clothed!"

Staff at the Broncos searched high and low for a copy of the magazine, entitled Lad's Mag', on the day the photos were due to be featured, but evidently not high enough. A work experience boy eventually came in with a copy hidden under his jacket after a newsagent directed him to the top shelf magazines.

Leyla said: "We had been told it was a sport's version of FHM. I think some of the girls were a bit unhappy about the real type of publication but as we were the only girls in the magazine who had any clothes on, and featured on the centre pages, there were probably a few more disappointed men! We were definitely the classy section of the magazine."

This view was echoed by staff at the Daily Sport, who produce the monthly magazine. A spokesman for the Sport said: "The Cowgirls were very professional and very sexy. It was actually one of our tamer issues.

"We had told them it was a lads' magazine but I can understand that they might have been a bit upset."

You can see the Cowgirls, fully clothed, at most London Bronco home games. Visit www.londonbroncos.co.uk for more details.

Cheerleaders searching for men...

CHEERLEADING is largely thought of as an activity for girls, but, as Samuel L Jackson, Michael Douglas and current US president George W Bush have shown, boys can do it too.

London Broncos, the rugby Super League team from Griffin Park, Brentford, who revealed this week that their cheerleaders were conned into posing for a centre spread in a pornographic magazine, are looking for a man to join their famous Cowgirl squad.

The Cowboy' need not be a professional dancer but he must be able to bust a few moves and bare a bit of well toned flesh beside an often cold and windy touchline.

Two positions are available to perform at their match against Warrington on Sunday April 4 and there is the chance of appearing on future live Sky Sport footage.

Match Day Production Assistant, Suzanne Stirton, said: "We're planning a lot of new things for match day this season and it's all about making the experience one that people really enjoy. Our Cowgirls have been a huge hit and we hope the Cowboys will add an extra touch."

To apply for the position send an email with a photo and explain in less than 50 words why you would make the perfect Cowboy. Applications to community@londonbroncos.co.uk or call 020 8232 1562.