A TRIO of men endured a hair-raising experience when they had a very close shave at a Southampton pub.

Together Louis Slack, Peter Motersele and Steve Beeching, had all their hair cut off to raise money for the Southampton branch of the MS Society.

They were cheered on by punters at The Duchess of Wellington pub in Wolseley Road, Freemantle, and have raised in the region of £2,000 in sponsorship from family and friends.

Branch chairman Louis, 64, of Northam, who was diagnosed with the neurological condition in 1994 after experiencing symptoms 30 years earlier, is delighted with the money raised.

"I haven't had a hair cut since August so my hair was very long and I also had a very big beard.

"It's worth it to raise this amount of money which will go towards the group's general funds."

It will be spent helping to improve the standard of living for people living in Southampton who have MS, and providing specialist equipment to help them live more comfortably in their homes.

There are currently 200 members, aged from their twenties to their eighties, affiliated to the branch.

Everyone is welcome to attend the monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at Semble House, Howard Road, Polygon, at 7pm.