A CHIPPENHAM family have seen their dad without a beard for the first time ever.

Jon Lorton, 67, has not been seen clean shaven since he was about 22.

But the retired MoD project manager, who lives in Provis Mead, Pewsham, agreed to get rid of his beard to boost funds for the Movember Foundation’s men’s health programmes, which supports research into prostate and testicular cancer.

To his children, Kate Weeks, 43, of Marlborough, Helen Lorton of Calne, and Anthony Lorton in Wales, he is like a different person.

Mrs Weeks said: “It is very odd. He looks like Father Christmas normally. Now he looks like his brother’s twin.

“My mum Jenny thinks it’s very strange because she keeps walking in and thinking her brother-in-law’s there.”

Mr Lorton, who started growing a beard at 17, was not keen on having his first shave in more than four decades, but when they raised £210 for Movember he knew he had to to go through with it.

It took barber Alan Shepherd just three minutes to shave it off last week and his daughter said he is already complaining of a cold chin.

“It is chilly,” he said. “When Kate suggested it last year I made the excuse that I already had face fuzz, but she said why not do a reverse Mo. A friend of ours is being treated for prostate cancer, and others we know have had scares, so I decided to do it.

“The anticipation was worse than the actuality.”

He and his wife Jenny have known each other since they were eight years old. She said: “It is very, very bizarre. Every time he appears it’s just a real shock. If I give him a kiss it doesn’t feel right!”

Donations can be made at http://mobro.co/JONLORTON and the beard is available to anyone wanting a Santa prop.