SPORTING stars turned out in their school gear for the launch of a testicular cancer awareness video from the Orchid Cancer Appeal.

Former world snooker champion Steve Davis, tennis star Pat Cash and rugby player Eric Peters were put through their paces by ex-Brookside babe Anne-Marie Davies who donned a teacher's outfit and cane to urge them to "check out their balls" at the launch last Monday.

Their support for the video, which will urge teenage boys to examine themselves for lumps, was enlisted by Hainault resident Colin Osborne.

Mr Osborne started the Orchid Appeal in 1997 after winning an 18-month battle against testicular cancer.

The celebrity 'schoolboys' are among a host of sportsmen and television personalities to feature in the video, Know Your Balls Check 'Em Out!

Famous faces in the celebrity-filled video include the likes of radio presenter Chris Evans, television host Jonathan Ross, comedian Phil Jupitus and tennis ace Bjorn Borg.

The video demonstrates how to examine testicles for cancer, and sufferers including the footballer Jason Cundy and rugby players Chris Horseman and Eric Peters talk about their own experience of the illness, which affects one in every 500 men aged 15 to 50.

Mr Osborne hopes the video will let teenaged boys know about the risks and help them to look out for the symptoms.

The 38-year-old father-of two only realised that he had testicular cancer after he felt a painful lump while leaning over his desk at work six years ago. He had never heard about checking for lumps.

He said: "Twenty boys watched the video at the launch in Westminster City Boys School. They were 15-year-olds and they knew nothing about testicular cancer. Only one of them had heard about it because a Millwall player had it. Footballers appeal to that aged audience.

"The video is fun but it puts across a serious message. The humour breaks down the embarrassment of self-examination."

Videos have been sent out to 5,500 schools across the country. They come with an information pack for teachers, a testicular awareness poster and credit card-sized booklets with key points.

The Orchid Appeal will also give out balls signed by celebrity sportsmen to teenagers who send back competition entries after watching the video.

If your school would like to take part contact the Orchid Cancer Appeal on 020 7821 7755.