WHEN it comes to darts Arthur Phillips reckons himself as something of an Eric Bristow but after he was cut down to size in a work's tournament he decided to have his head shaved in double quick time and ended up more like Michael Van Gerwen.

Mr Phillips, 55, from Erlestoke, near Devizes, was taking part in a contest at Cross Manufacturing, Devizes, and had high hopes of winning. But instead he was beaten by a younger man in the early rounds.

The quality inspector said: "After the embarrassing loss and lots of encouragement from colleagues I made the snap decision to have my 9inch long hair cut off."

He told fellow worker Matt Spooner that if he could get £100 in sponsorship he would loose his locks to raise money for the Royal National Institute of Blind people. (RNIB)

But eventually so many people were keen to see Mr Phillips without his flowing hair that he raised £800.

He said: "I should have been one of the favourites for the tournament as I play in a couple of leagues for a pub side but I had a bad day. It all started as a bit of joke and carried on from there.

"It all happened very quickly. Within about three hours the money had been raised so the cut venue was hastily arranged for entertainment during the lunch break the very next day, at the Company.

"Caroline Perkins, who luckily is something of an expert, had the cutting honours and much laughter was had by all including the darts match victor Mark Shaw, who took the deed of the first clipper cut. I was a bit worried that he would want to completely scalp me so I made sure the clipper wasn't set for a number one."

Mr Phillips' wife Ornella and his three grown-up daughters were a bit shocked when they saw him for the first time in about five years without long hair.

He said: "They were a bit surprised but I think they are getting used to it now. The worst thing is that my hair has now gone ginger."

He was delighted by the support he got from colleagues and bosses at Cross Manufacturing. He said: "Everyone was generous but some were exceptionally generous. I am feeling a bit chilly without my hair but will wait and see if I will grow it back."

He originally took up darts about six years ago after deciding to switch from golf. He now plays for The Bell at Great Cheverell, near Devizes.