MIKE BELLINGER was well-known for his beard, but now family, friends, and colleagues are growing moustaches in his honour.

Mr Bellinger, pictured inset, who ran Bellinger’s Garage in Station Road, Grove, died in September aged 59 after being diagnosed with a rare form of Lymphoma.

Now his family and colleagues are carefully crafting moustaches as part of Movember – a nationwide event where men are encouraged to grow moustaches to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

Mr Bellinger’s daughter Liz Bellinger, 21, helped organising the tribute to her father.

She said: “It is a light-hearted fundraiser that is easy to take part in, and as dad had a beard since he was 17 we thought it would be an appropriate tribute.

Oliver Dimbylow, 26, director at the garage and Mr Bellinger’s son-in-law, pictured far left with Mr Bellinger’s son Joe and Brian Cripps, said: “It is something very special to the garage and everyone involved.”

About 40 people in the garage are growing moustaches for the Lymphoma Association. To donate visit justgiving.com /Mikes-Movember or contact the Lymphoma Association on 01296 619419.