IT was no doubt with some relief that men across Worcestershire welcomed December 1 and the chance to shave off their Movember moustaches.

Movember was invented in 2003 by a few friends over a beer in a pub in Australia.

It has now grown into a global movement with campaigns in 21 countries. This year more men than ever took part raising cash to beat prostate and testicular cancers. Among them were staff and parents at Our Lady Queen of Peace RC Primary, St John’s, Worcester, who raised £550. Teachers Steve Bowtell and Seb Clarke, caretaker Keith Smith, PTA chairman Chris Ritson and parents Barry Macgabhann and Rob Taylor had their moustaches shaved off by Chris Lloyd, of Rogers Barbers, St John’s, Worcester.

Mr Ritson said: “I don’t think many of the wives were impressed. I was glad to get rid of mine, but just for one month of the year I can do it. One month is enough.”

Three local clergymen – Worcester hospital chaplain David Southall, St Nicholas Warndon vicar David Ryan and Claines curate Nick Kaleniuk – took part and raised more than £500.

Mr Southall said: “I have been really pleased with the generosity of so many people at the hospital and elsewhere in aid of a worthy cause.”

Three Worcester firms – estate agents Knight Frank, law firm HallmarkHulme and accountants Sutcliffe and Co – competed for the title of best in Team-Mo and raised more than £2,000.

George Pickard, of Knight Frank, Duncan Sutcliffe, of Sutcliffe and Co, and Richard Wilkes, of HallmarkHulme, competed with the final judging based on the bushiness, aptness and style of the individual’s whiskers.

The judges, TV news journalists Cath and Phil Mackie, and James Moore, of Worcester’s Inspirations hairdressers, chose Duncan Sutcliffe as the winner.

Lawyers from SME Solicitors, Worcester, including managing partner Ian Stirzaker, also took part.

Probate lawyer Alan James said: “It’s been fun, but the Movember message is serious. If prostate cancer can be diagnosed early before symptoms arise it can, when appropriate, be treated and cured.”

A group of seven friends from Amcor Flexibles, Evesham, took part raising more than £800. James Smith said: “We made about £400 in sponsorship and are still collecting. The company will match what we make so it will be more than £800 in total.” Members and supporters of Pershore Rugby Club raised more than £830.

The club’s top fund-raiser was first-team prop Lee Synnuck, who raised £332 and received a prize meal for two at the Anchor, Wyre Piddle, near Evesham. Andy Watson, former first-team flanker, was voted the club’s top tache. Toby Grace, first-team coach and player, said: “By growing a moustache for Movember we have all become walking, talking billboards for the month and will help to change the face of men’s health.”