SIMON Williams alias 'The Beard' – a familiar face at the Nat West branch in Lydney – has sacrificed the beard he's taken nearly a lifetime to cultivate.

Shaving the beard which Simon's been growing for more than 26 years took barely five minutes and raised £2,000 for Red Nose Day.

After the sponsored shave Simon said he felt somewhat 'chilly' and was "left wondering how my good wife will feel about it all – she's never seen me clean shaven before. It's going to be quite a surprise to her."