Moustaches are sprouting from the faces of men across the county for Movember.

Today is the start of the month-long moustache growing competition where those taking part raise money and awareness for men’s health issues, particularly prostate and testicular cancer.

More than 23 have signed up to the Spice Ship Inn’s team in Preston, Weymouth where they will grow their facial hair to win the battle of the ’tache.

And on November 30, their efforts will be judged at a fundraising night at the pub.

Richard Upshall, who first decided to take part in Movember, said: “My uncle died of prostate cancer two years ago and I wanted to do something to raise money to help.

“Last year I became aware of Movember but by that time, it was halfway through the month.

“So this year I decided I was definitely going for it.

“I sent round a collective text to tell people what I was planning and my business partner, Wendy Buckingham, said why don’t we make a team?

“So we decided to get together and do it through the pub, with a Movember party at the end of the month.

“We did a similar fundraising event for breast cancer a couple of years ago, so this year we thought we’d do something for the men.”

The funds raised in the UK are directed to programmes run directly by Movember and their men’s health partners, Prostate Cancer UK and the Institute of Cancer Research.

Mr Upshall added: “The idea is to make the event as big as we can so we can raise as much money as possible.

“I’ve never grown a moustache before, so I don’t know how it’s going to go.

“I did a trial moustache for four days, but I couldn’t stand it and I had to shave it off.

“But hopefully this one will grow nicely and we’ll raise lots of money for the charity.”

The Movember party will take place on November 30 from 7pm.

As well as moustache judging there will be a raffle and Abba tribute band.

To sponsor the Spice Ship Mos visit uk.movember.com /team/653069.

If you would like to donate prizes to the raffle, call the Spice Ship Inn on 01305 834651.

  • If you’re taking part in Movember we’d like to hear from you. Call the Echo newsdesk on 01305 830999 or email newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk

Movember

  • MOVEMBER started in Australia and has grown to become a global movement.
  • Once registered at movember.com each ‘Mo Bro’ must begin the 1st of Movember with a clean shaven face and must grow and groom a moustache over the month.
  • No beards are allowed.
  • The start of the campaign was marked in London when a blue moustache was projected on to the side of the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben.