A PUB landlord who is known for his wonderful whiskers and sense of humour is set to have his 'tash' shaved off for charity tomorrow (Friday).

Landlord of The Tom Cobley Inn in Spreyton, Roger Cudlip, will donate half the money he raises to Country Holidays for Inner City Kids (CHICKS) and the rest to his two chosen charities, Devon Air Ambulance, the Exeter Kidney Unit and Exeter Kidney Transplant Games team.

The event is part of the efforts made by Cheriton and Tedburn Young Farmers, who are raising money for CHICKS.

Mr Cudlip, 56, said the idea came to him while talking to the young farmers.

He said: 'I was chatting to some of the members and they told me they were looking for more ideas to raise some money.

'The thought just came to me and I told them I would shave off my tash to help them.

'I told them I'd do it if they could raise £1,000 and it looks as though they are almost there.

'They didn't believe me at first, but now they know I am serious.'

Over the last two years the YFC has raised £5,307 for Children's Hospice South West and members have been making regular visits to the Tom Cobley Inn to drum-up sponsorship for the big moustache-shaving event.

Mr Cudlip said his moustache would be shaved off by Wendy Sincock from Spreyton, who won three gold medals and two silver medals at the 2009 British Transplant Games last year.

He added: 'It's something that is close to Wendy's heart.

'I've had my tash for such a long time and it will feel strange, it's my trademark and people know me by it, but it's for a good cause.

'It will take a bit of getting used to and people won't recognise me, I can tell you that, but it's good for the community and it's good for those January blues.'

Chairman of Cheriton and Tedburn Young Farmers' Club, Gemma Bowden, said they had raised £2,000 from September 2008 to September 2009.

'Roger challenged us to raise another £1,000 on top of what we had already raised separately,' said Gemma.

'We have pretty much raised the amount needed and any money from the disco will also go towards it.

'It will be a really big thing for Roger to have his moustache shaved off and it means a lot to us — we will be really proud of him.'

The shave-off will take place at a disco held at Spreyton village hall. All proceeds will go to charity.

The disco starts at 9pm and the shave-off will take place around 11pm.

To donate, phone Steph on 07526 176815.

Money can be donated to any member of the Cheriton and Tedburn Young Farmers' Club or any member of staff from The Tom Cobley Inn.

Anyone aged between 12 and 26 and interested in joining Cheriton and Tedburn YFC can come along to the meetings on the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Spalding Hall, Cheriton Bishop.