Barber Debert Harrison is used to being involved in close shaves, but had the tables turned on Saturday as he raised more than £1,000 for a glaucoma charity.

The 64-year-old was inspired to raise awareness – and cash – for the International Glaucoma Association after recently being diagnosed with the disease, by having his lengthy beard shaved off at his shop in Norbury.

About 500,000 people suffer from glaucoma in England and Wales, with people of African-Caribbean origin about four more times at risk than whites.

Most cases develop slowly and initially show few symptoms, but can lead to severe vision restriction and blindness.