Her usual act is a raunchy burlesque number to rival that of Dita Von Teese.

But this summer curvy Lili la Scala will ditch the corset and suspenders for something far more modest for her moving new cabaret, during which she hopes to raise money for Help for Heroes.

War Notes will see Lili serenade audiences with classic wartime songs by artists such as Vera Lynn, interspersed with readings from letters by soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Classically trained in opera, the Songbird of Trafalgar Square - a nickname earned while busking in London - usually titillates in shows called Geisha Girl or La Petite Doll.

But after performing at a recent Help for Heroes event, Lili, 28, was so moved to hear about the work Our Boys do on the frontline that she vowed to come up with an act to pay tribute to them.

Lili, from Southend, Essex, says: "I spent my childhood watching old wartime movies with my gran.

"My heroes quickly became people like singers Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields. When I was performing in Colchester, raising money for Help for Heroes, I suddenly knew I wanted to do something.

"I wracked my brains about how to bring the 1940s war ethos into a modern act. That's when I came across letters by soldiers who have died recently.

"I found them online, some had been printed in papers, others in books. The reception I've received at preview shows is amazing. The audience wells up, even I well up."

Of course this isn't the first time the worthy charity has received a helping hand from some burlesque beauties. Last year our Page 3 girls got together to pose for a Help for Heroes calendar, where they sported some stunning burlesque-esque clothing and you can see some of our favourites below.

Lili performs War Notes at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, August 5-29