FORMER Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle is to shed his flowing beard and locks for charity, after growing tired of “Father Christmas” jibes over the festive season.

Mr Kilfoyle began to cultivate his hair after retiring from Parliament in May after 19 years.

After much pleading from friends and colleagues – including his successor as Walton MP, Steve Rotheram – to lose the growth, he stubbornly resisted.

But last night he told the Daily Post how “after the 500th Father Christmas joke” he had to endure over the holidays, he caved in to demands to give up his beard and long hair – as long as he can raise funds for the Woodlands hospice at Fazakerley Hospital.

The shears are due to come out next Friday at the Crown n’ Glory salon, in Walton.

Mr Kilfoyle said the jokes started after he appeared in the Daily Post’s sister paper, the Liverpool Echo, in September, to review former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s memoirs.

It was the first photo of the former defence minister to be published since he stood down in May, and his new look took many by surprise.

Mr Kilfoyle said: “I have had a lot of stick about it, particularly the Father Christmas comments.