MALE teachers at a Merseyside school have launched a “dodgy moustache” contest in bid to raise £1,000 for charity.

Since the start of the month, a dozen staff at Sutton high college, in St Helens, have banned themselves from shaving their top lip.

The plucky teachers have carefully grown and groomed a variety of different style moustaches made famous by stars ranging from Charlie Chaplin to American wrestler Hulk Hogan.

The eye-catching antics are in support of the worldwide Movember month-long fundraiser, which asks men to grow moustaches to raise cash for prostate cancer and awareness for men’s health issues generally.

The school hopes to raise at least £1,000 and use the fundraiser as a platform to discuss a range of health issues during lessons.

But Year 10 head Drew Johnson, who organised the event, said vanity and pressure from partners had seen some colleagues cave in. Mr Johnson, who describes his own curly tache as “that found on an old wing commander”, said: “We have shunned a few who dropped out and chopped their moustaches off because they and their partners felt they looked too stupid.

“But the kids at school have got used to mine, and I am thinking about keeping it.”

ANYONE wanting to sponsor the teachers should contact the school on 01744 678859.