The great moustache-growing race has begun all over Norwich.

Thousands of men are competing to grow the best, or the most ridiculous, moustache that they can to raise funds and awareness for the worldwide Movember campaign, backed by the Evening News.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital appears to be one of the places with the biggest concentration of new facial hair sprouting at the moment, perhaps unsurprisingly for a campaign designed to raise funds and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer.

Ten members of the N&N pharmacy department are busy growing moustaches and have also been joined by 10 men from the radiology department and a growing number of men from the plastic surgery department.

James Hipperson, clinical pharmacist at the hospital, said: 'Many of us have lost relatives or friends to prostate or testicular cancer so we decided to grow mos in support of these worthy charities.

'We hope to raise �500 over the month and are also holding a departmental competition for the 'best mo' and 'biggest mo fundraiser'.'

Jon Clibbon, consultant plastic surgeon, speaking on behalf of Team Mawson, added: 'As health professionals we wanted to set an example and lead the way in raising awareness, whilst having a bit of fun at the same time.'

Elsewhere, Sky Sports News presenter Simon Thomas, who grew up in Cromer and is a Norwich City supporter, has not been able to get involved, due to the smart appearance required of a television presenter.

He said on Twitter: 'For those asking, I'd love to participate in Movember but afraid it's still just bum fluff and the bosses wouldn't be happy with the look.'

After big Movember success for Norwich City players such as Grant Holt, Chris Martin and Simon Lappin last year, the Canaries' squad are keeping their focus on their battle for Premier League survival.

But one former Canary getting involved with Movember is the club's all-time third highest scorer, Iwan Roberts, who is part of Team Further, from Further Search Marketing, where his wife, Lou, works.

The Evening News columnist, who scored 96 goals for City, said: 'It's the first time I've done it and it's a really great cause. Anything bringing awareness to cancer is great and it's a bit of a laugh too.

'I don't mind a bit of the stubble, I had a bit of a beard a couple of years ago, but it gets a bit unbearable after a while.

'I'm going for the handlebar moustache, but at the moment it's not quite what I want yet.'

Are you holding a Movember event or do you know someone with a particularly unusual Mo' tache? Call reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or email david.freezer@archant.co.uk