A MALE keep fit group has sponsored a colleague to grow a moustache and raise money for men's health awareness initiative, Movember, by growing moustaches themselves.

The 50-strong keep fitters meet each week in Chipping Campden to play five-a-side football and go on organised walks.

It was started by Derek Thomas approximately 35 years ago and members range in age from 35 to around 70 years.

Member Richard Hogg, who was successfully treated for prostate cancer in 2006, grew his moustache for Movember to raise money for the charity and several of his colleagues promised to sponsor him.

A dinner dance recently raised more than £503 and photograph sales from a walk the group undertook to Mumbles, in the Gower peninsula, raised a further £64.

Further donations received after the event elevated the total to more than £1,000.

Mr Hogg said: "This donation is helping the Movember Foundation work tirelessly to connect and fund the best scientific and clinical minds in the world, working towards two urgent goals: to fast track a time when no man will die from prostate or testicular cancer, and to rid the world of discrimination against men and boys with mental health problems."