IT was a very close shave for a charity director, when he had half of his beard removed for a good cause.

Darren Armstrong, founder of Be Strong in Churchgate, took on the bizarre challenge with the aim of raising up to £2,000 for the charity.

The money from Mr Armstrong's beard shave will be spent on a new kitchen and extractor fan at the charity's premises.

So far, Mr Armstrong has had received £700 in donations, and he is hoping the final total will be between £1,500 and £2,000.

Mr Armstrong, a 39-year-old father-of-five, is no stranger to taking on a daring challenge — he has previously walked 10 miles barefooted, from Bury Town Hall to The Roundhouse pub in Halliwell for Be Strong.

However, his latest fundraising attempt, he says, is his most brave one yet.

Mr Armstrong, of Breightmet, said: "I'm dreading the reception I'll get — I'm going to have to go to church looking like this. This look is certainly not something I will be going for again!

"I look like an idiot but I'm willing to put own pride on hold for Be Strong.

"It's something a bit different and something that shows my commitment to the charity."

Mr Armstrong is expecting lots of attention for his new-look face — especially when he visits church — but he says he will not be keeping his half-beard much longer.

He said: "My wife Stephanie doesn't like my beard anyway, never mind when it's only half shaved, so it'll be gone within a week."

Be Strong helps rehabilitate ex-offenders, homeless people and other vulnerable adults by offering them healthy food workshops on a daily basis and taking them on trips to the gym.

Any money he gets from his beard shave will be put towards new materials for the kitchen and money to pay for staffing costs.

The charity's running costs are estimated by Mr Armstrong to be about £2,000 per month.

People can donate towards Mr Armstrong's beard shave, via Paypal, at www.bestrong.org.uk or by emailing darren@be-strong.co.uk.