The beard and the wonderful: World facial hair championships held in Brighton

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The beard and the wonderful: World facial hair championships held in Brighton

By DANIEL COUGHLIN - More by this author » Last updated at 22:13pm on 1st September 2007 Comments
Weird beards and flash 'taches were on proud display in the event where everybody prefers whiskers...
Scores of fuzzy-faced men from across the globe descended on Brighton for the biennial World Beard and Moustache Championships, competing for gold in such categories as best Dali beard, Sideburns Freestyle and best Garibaldi beard.
Organiser Steve Parsons said: "Freestyle beard is probably the most spectacular category because you can do anything you like. There has been a great range of beards and moustaches this year, from short and spiky to long and twirly.
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Heavenly handlebars

Mind your eyes on this starburst creation

Beards in Brighton: The contestants pose for a hairy photoshoot

"Most competitors swear by hairspray to mould their facial hair into the shape they want. At the last championships in Berlin, one competitor styled his beard in the shape of the Brandenburg Gate, complete with horses and flags."
The event was hosted by the Handlebar Club - founded 60 years ago by generously moustached comedian Jimmy Edwards - and each participant entered the arena to the club anthem, which includes the line: "Every girl loves a geezer with a bush on his mush."
But the day was not without controversy, as the purist Beard Liberation Front had called for a boycott, saying facial hair should never be styled.

Two colours of beard for this coiffured contestant

Ever decreasing circles or Mickey Mouse ears?

Facial hair like a bison's horns

An official-looking contestant shows off an intricate creation

Ride em cowboy: A creation modelled on rodeo lasoos