A NORTH-EAST club owner has been named Britain’s Best Groomed Man after beating thousands of entrants to win a national competition.

Les Langley, 46, from Darlington, who was the oldest entrant in the competition, landed a one-year modelling contract to become the face of The Bluebeards Revenge grooming brand and an ambassador to male cancer charity Orchid.

He was one of 30 finalists to face a public vote in the competition, which was launched by the two organisations as part of a campaign to encourage men to check for signs of cancer while grooming.

Father-of-three Mr Langley entered the competition as a tribute to his first wife, who died of cancer.

He said: “I am delighted, it is a double whammy for me. It is great to win but even better to be made the ambassador for a cancer charity. It is important as I had never considered male cancer before my wife died.

"It made me think if anything happened to me, I’d be mortified at the consequences for my children. That was the main reason I entered the competition, to help raise awareness.”

He added: “I told my children today and they are very proud. Even my friends who had a good laugh at my expense and found it all a big wind up at first will be delighted as they know how important this was for me. I did not for one second expect to win but wonders never cease.”

Britain’s Best Groomed Man struggled to describe the image that landed him the coveted title.

He said: “I have always tried to look after myself but I don’t have a particular style. I’ve always worked in bars and clubs so I try to keep smart and I look after my skin and teeth.”

Nick Gibbens, PR manager for the competition, said: “Les is not your typical winner.  He’s not a 6ft 3in, 21-year-old model who spends the whole day looking in the mirror.

"He’s a very humble but stylish 46-year-old father of three who not only likes to look his best, but also enjoys a beer and a steak at the weekend.

"His victory proves that age is no barrier to looking well groomed and dapper.”