A POPULAR West Devon vet has been growing his beard for more than six months in an attempt to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Peter Mackellar from Drake Vets, which has two centres, one in Tavistock and one in Yelverton, decided in September last year that he wanted to raise £5,000 for the British Heart Foundation by growing his beard.

Mr Mackellar has always had a beard, albeit trimmed back, but as a way of raising as much money as possible, he chose not to trim or shave his beard until he has raised the whole £5,000 — and so far he is at the £2,200 mark!