ONE of south Durham's leading lawyers has had his bushy beard shaved off for charity by a Big Brother star.

Rory Todd, 44, a solicitor with the area's Public Defender team, is raising money for Darlington child Mitchell Tinkler, seven, who has muscular dystrophy.

The beard, grown over four months, was shaved off by charity supporter and Big Brother star, Anthony Hutton, who runs a barbers and bar on Blackwellgate in the town.

The Northern Echo: BEARD: Rory Todd has his beard shaved off to raise money for Muscles for Mitchell Charity. Shaving his beard is former Big Brother winner Anthony Hutton at his barber's shop on Blackwellgate in Darlington. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

"I can't run a marathon or cycle 100 miles, so I'm shaving off my beard," said Mr Todd, who explained Mitchell's family were personal friends.

He has has raised £250 on his justgiving page with about another £150 pledged and hopes to eventually raise £500. The Muscles for Mitchell campaign has taken £20,000 in just one year with the money going to Harrisons Fund which donates to research projects to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Mr Hutton, originally from Consett, who won Big Brother in 2005, said he was glad to contribute to the cause at his Mr Hutton's barbers and bar. "It's a just great cause. When Rory contacted me and told me what it was about I was of course more than happy to help."

The Northern Echo: BEARD: Rory Todd has his beard shaved off to raise money for Muscles for Mitchell Charity. Shaving his beard is former Big Brother winner Anthony Hutton at his barber's shop on Blackwellgate in Darlington. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

Mr Todd's daughter, Charlotte, six, said: "Daddy looks like Mr Twit from Roald Dahl and keeps getting food in his beard but I don't want him to shave it off."

The solicitor, a father-of-two, promised his daughter he would grow it back.

Find Mr Todd's charity page at justgiving.com/Rory-Todd3 Click here for Muscles for Mitchell and here for Harrisons Fund charity.