FRIENDS are seeing a lot more of Ashburton’s Martin Woollacott now that he has been relieved of his ‘charity’ beard after a year of tolerating the itchy, massy bulk.

A lighter, happier and more visible Martin said after the welcome disposal of his luxuriant facial forest: ‘I called it The Great Good Riddance Beard Shave. I was as pleased as punch to be returned to the land of chins.’

Read the full story in this Friday’s paper.