PUPILS and teachers at a County Durham school could hardly believe their eyes when the legendary beard of their head of maths was shaved off.

Bob Elston, a teacher at Moorside Comprehensive School in Consett, finally resolved to shave off his shaggy beard - which he has sported for 20 years - to help raise money for disabled children.

Almost everyone in the school paid £1 to witness the event, which is only the third time that Mr Elston, 52, has been without a beard since 1971.

"There were comments of 'off with his head' from some of the kids when the barber came," said Mr Elston after the deed was done last week.

"And there were plenty of comments of 'at last.' I've been growing it out for the sake of this and it was getting very hot, so I'm glad it's finally gone."

Mr Elston eventually hopes to raise £2,500 from a number of events for the charity Whizz Kidz, which provides electric wheelchairs for disabled children.

If he is successful he will be allowed to go on a sponsored trek organised by the charity to Peru in October.