A MAN has shaved off his beard for the first time in 14 years to raise money for a minibus appeal at his son's school.

Llew Owen, 66, from Brotton, raised more than £125 towards St Peter's CE School's appeal for a 17-seater bus, which is expected to cost about £20,000.

It took 45 minutes to give him a new clean-shaven look at Brotton Workingmen's Club.

The club donated £50 to the total.

Mr Owen's wife, Jackie, said their 11-year-old son, John, was very proud of his father for taking part in the fundraising stunt.

She said: "Llew feels a bit different now with all the beard gone, but he's not sure whether he'll keep it short or not."

The school's headmaster, John Stinson, who raised £1,000 for the appeal in July by having his moustache shaved off, said: "The minibus will be very well used.

"We have 25 special needs children bussed to the school from around the borough of Redcar and Cleveland and they, too, will be able to benefit from the new minibus."

He added: "The next fundraising event we are going to hold will probably be a Christmas raffle."

Anyone who would like to help the appeal should telephone the school on 01287 676210.