Twelve men at Corsham Baptist Church have joined the Movember fundraising craze in support of the Rev Eddie Larkman, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year.

Mr Larkman first shared news of his diagnosis with the Corsham Baptist congregation in December, and has inspired the group to raise more than £900 so far.

The men, aged in their twenties to fifties, are sporting a range of moustaches to raise money for men’s health charities.

The campaign has been spearheaded by Richard Hall, 46, who has been a member of the church for more than 30 years and works for an international consulting engineering practice.

He said: “The church as a whole was praying for Eddie, but alongside this we felt that we wanted to do something practical as well.

“We found a couple of ways to support them directly, but I wanted to expand that, so the Corsham Baptist Church Moustachios idea was born.”

Mr Larkman has completed eight weeks of radiotherapy since his diagnosis. He was supported through this by his family and members of the church.

He said: “Everyone has really got behind it. I am very touched and heartened by their effort.

“There is a lot of work done at the church to benefit the community, but it’s all down to the generosity of our own people.”

After a short period of rest he is travelling out to Kenya in December to join a church mission team to support African missionaries.

To sponsor the group visit http://uk.movember.com/team/980897 For more on the church, see http://www.corshambaptists.org