WHEN Wendy Turner-Webster decided to muck in and raise money for a good cause, she meant it quite literally.

For the Stoke-on-Trent-born TV personality is spending five days without washing herself and has been challenged to complete a series of dirty, dusty and downright messy tasks along the way.

Wendy embarked on the 'no wash' week on Sunday and has already collected £1,500 for the charity VIVA!, for which she is a patron.

The money will be going towards its work in campaigning against factory farming in the UK.

She said: "I wanted to highlight the plight of factory-farmed ducks who, in their very short lives, have no access to water in which to play, wash or preen themselves.

"Nineteen million ducks are slaughtered in the UK every year. It's quite a staggering figure."

Wendy, who presented Channel Four's Pet Rescue for seven years, admits foregoing her usual pampering has been tricky.

"Everyone thinks I'm quite mad. They know how I like my make-up and creature comforts and my baths," she said.

"But I've been quite humbled by the all the support and it's a cause very, very close to my heart."

While she gets stuck into the challenge, Wendy is staying with her parents Brian and Jean Turner, in the house where she grew up in Norton.

They have already bought a couple of air fresheners to survive her ordeal. Meanwhile, Wendy's husband Gary and their two children are back at home in London.

Wendy, aged 43, said: "I officially started on Sunday because I've got a school Christmas fair this Friday and I'm serving drinks. I don't want to contravene hygiene laws or embarrass my children by turning up without having washed."

For some of this week's activities, she is working at Stychlands Stud, in Forsbrook, the stables where she keeps her pony Charles.

Surrounded by wheelbarrows of manure and bags of straw, she has already been getting hands-on there.

Wendy said: "I am grooming my pony and doing the mucking out as well. Usually, when I come to see Charles, I'm having a gin and tonic."

Monica Beeston, who owns the stables and is in her 70s, isn't surprised at Wendy's latest fund-raising feat.

She said: "If it's a cause she believes in, Wendy is very dedicated. I think she is patron of every animal charity going."

The idea came from VIVA! after Wendy asked how she could help raise money for them.

She said: "In the summer, I was supposed to be doing something like a 13 peaks challenge, but I wasn't fit enough.

"I didn't want to let them down, so I asked them to give me another challenge."

Wendy is also trying to keep up with her normal activities during this week, including going on a shopping trip to Leek tomorrow. The 'no wash' week finishes on Thursday.

"I'm sure I'll survive the week. I'm most looking forward to soaking in a very hot bath, with a few candles, and a big glass of wine to hand," she said.