Robbie's close shave at hands of demon Mayor

Cllr Robbie Robertson, who works as chauffeur to the Mayor of Brighton, agreed to grow a moustache and beard for a month to raise money for testicular cancer and the Mayor's chosen charities.

Cllr Robertson was challenged by his boss, Cllr Carol Ann Theobold, to grow a moustache for the whole of September as part of charity campaign Tacheback.

Every year Tacheback calls on men to grow a sponsored moustache to raise vital funds for Everyman, a male cancer campaign.

Cllr Robertson said: 'The Mayor said to me, "You grow it and I'll sponsor you".

'So I said if she was going to do that I would also donate money to her chosen charities: the Martlets Hospice, the Pink Dolphin Appeal and Whoopsadaisy.

This was the first time the councillor had sported facial hair and it was not popular at home.

He said: 'Let's just say marital bliss is now restored!

'My wife didn't like it at all.

'I think for other people it was nice for me to look like Father Christmas but I didn't like it.'

On Monday, Cllr Robertson's fresh-faced looks were restored as he bravely allowed his boss to take a razor to him.

The hair-raising stunt raised around 300 and anyone who still wants to donate can contact the Mayor's office.

Cllr Robertson said: 'I would like to thank all my friends and colleagues who donated, as did the people of Newhaven.'