A PONTYPOOL pensioner is a smooth customer after having his beard shaved off for charity.

Retired David Cullis, 65, of Abersychan, grew the mammoth beard for four months before having it shaved off.

Mr Cullis started growing it after being housebound from a fall in February. When he learnt his brother had prostate cancer, he decided to get the growth cut to raise money for Progress, the prostate cancer charity.

"I used to have a beard between 1980 and 1990," said Mr Cullis. "Back then it was ginger, but this time it was white. People said I looked like Uncle Albert or Father Christmas, but I would grow it again tomorrow if my wife would let me. I thought it looked dignified."

His wife Audrey said: "I hated it. I offered to shave it off myself for nothing." Mr Cullis had the beard removed at the re-opening of Sansom the Barber Shop in Abersychan.

Hairdresser Clare Sansom said the beard was the biggest she had ever shaved.

"It was massive," she said. "There was four months of growth and it was a bit of a challenge."

Mr Cullis raised more than £200. His friend, Torfaen Mayor Doug Davies, was there to watch the shave as Progress