CRICKET has long been associated with sporting moustaches and as the Ashes comes to an end staff at the Bells Hotel in Coleford attempted to grow their own tashes in competition.

 Today the moustache is regarded as a relic of the past but in the days when WG Grace was playing, moustaches were plentiful and bushy.

The lads at the hotel had their last shave on October 31 and for a month they ditched their razors in favour of a natural hairy look.

To give the 11 members of staff extra incentive they undertook sponsorship for their challenge to help Movember, a charitable organisation that focuses on men's health an organisation that has its origins in Australian cricket.

During the month the men had to endure many nicknames from Freddie Mercury to Super Mario and Basil Fawlty to the Village People as well as the pseudo athletes from the 118 television advert.

Others were told they had a long way to go before they could become a squadron leader with a handlebar moustache.

Benn Jackson, Bells Hotel manager said:" This event seems to have inspired the lad's imagination and they have fully embraced the idea. It's created a magnificent team spirit among the staff.

"I admire the people in history who've sported moustaches, but I've given it ago and find it irritating, and I for one will not be sporting one again."

Rob Hancock, who co-ordinated the event, said: "We raised money for breast cancer in the summer and thought we'd do something for the lads. I hit upon Movember. Mo, slang for moustache, and November is the organisation's main fund raising activity and decided that we should be part of it. Our sponsorship on the night is £755.41 and we expect around £300 in additional donations.

"I don't think that any of them will keep their new facial hair as not one of the men's wives or partners seems to like the moustache."

But when English cricketing legend Phil Tufnell heard about the lads' efforts he was more than happy to join in the celebrations at the hotel and helped hand over the giant cheque to the charity.

Phil, who once sported a moustache himself, said that the lads' achievement was quite special and added that one of them was well on the way to having a Merv Hughes handlebar moustache.

After the formal side of the occasion had been completed and pictures taken, all the lads had no hesitation in having their moustaches removed by local barber Paula Walding.