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The moustache's popularity has taken a pounding since its late 1980s peak, yet 14 west Leeds fighters have been leading a facial furniture
fightback.

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The pugilists have spent the last month ducking and diving away from
their razors.

The unshaved squad all train at West Leeds Amateur Boxing Club, in Wortley, run by ex-pro Danny Thornton.

Danny, who won 25 fights before hanging up his gloves, said the charity challenge was dreamed up by Brian Lazenby, who turned up one day with a brand new set of whiskers.

He said: "He got some serious grief for it. Then I said if we are going to take the mickey we should all grow one, and it went from there. I've gone for the classic 1980s Paul Calf look.

"Everyone who took part paid a tenner to look like a prat then went around getting sponsors. The response has been brilliant, we've raised over £1,000 so we'll split it between St Gemma's Hospice and Cancer

The two causes are close to the heart of Terry O'Neill, an ex-England amateur boxing coach who co-runs the Wortley club.

He said: "I also lost my wife to bowel cancer last year and my sister, Kathleen Speight, was a founder member of St Gemma's and she has run the charity shop in Harehills for 20 years. They are two very good causes and it is great the lads have done this to support them."

Danny said the prize for the top 'tache had gone to ex-British welterweight champion Derek Roche, who cultivated a Victorian circus strongman type effort.

He added: "We've had a good laugh. The young fighters didn't want to do it at first, but they got into it. One of them can't grow a beard no matter how hard he tries, but he's still given it a go."

The boxers are facing up to a close shave in the not too distant future.

Danny said: "It'll have to go. My wife can't stand it."