It's a splendid piece of facial hair which quickly catches the eye.

"People are calling me Chopper Read and my male colleagues all love the mo but the girls hate it," he said.

The policeman is one of the many Manning Valley men letting their moustaches grow wild to raise money for Movember.

Movember is the chance for the men of Australia to grow their mo's throughout the month of November to raise money and awareness of men's health issues.

With many Manning Valley men putting away their razors for the cause, Darran said he had a head start on the Movember competition. "I started growing it a week before October, so I did cheat a bit," he said. "And it's been a hairstyle that I have had before."

The mustachioed one said the Movember cause was one which had recently entered his life.

"I've got a family member who was just diagnosed with prostate cancer and recently had an operation, so I chose to take part in Movember this year.

"And depression is a big factor in our line of work."

Darran has raised $470 so far for The Movember Foundation, the leading global organisation committed to changing the face of men's health.

After a month of being razor free, Darran said the long awaited shave was fast approaching.

"My wife can't wait for it to go, and I can't wait for it to go either," he said. "It's annoying, as you're always checking it for food."

Anyone wishing to donate to Movember can visit http://au.movember.com/