KEY POINTS:
Forget Nicky Watson, Britney Spears and so on, the girls with the most talked about undies and unmentionables in the country this week are the women of Inglewood.
The first official "knicker-run" took place yesterday, with a Taranaki Regional Council-subsidised bus taking 10 residents to New Plymouth to shop for items not available locally any more.
Among the bras and panties in the CC Ward Lingerie section was a swarm of media who interviewed, filmed, photographed and recorded the group's every perusal and purchase.
"It was good, we had a few laughs. I'm not ashamed of it!" said undie-buyer Marilyn Collins, who took it in her stride as media followed her on a search for something a little racey that her daughter might like.
She said there had not been a bus service to New Plymouth for about eight years, leaving those without cars or licences, including a number of pensioners, to rely on friends and relatives for the occasional lift.
"It's about time we had another one and I just hope it gets patronised, I really do."
She said it would not just be used for undie-grabs. People would get lunch, do other shopping or swing by the art gallery, "it's a chance to get out of Inglewood".
The call for the service began last year after female parishioners at the Anglican Church brought up the undie issue after communion one night when the local clothing store stopped stocking women's underwear. Reverend Gary Husband decided to champion the issue and hit international headlines after being dubbed The Knicker-Vicar.
Regional Council director of operations Rob Phillips said the service would run every Thursday on a trial basis for the next year.
Residents have been told to "use it or lose it" with roughly 10 people per trip at $5 each way needed to keep it going.
- NZPA
