MAYOR David Wren is so determined to have raised £30,000 for local charities in his term of office he will wax his body from top to toe.

Coun Wren first pledged to have his head and beloved beard shaved if £1,000 could be raised in his last few days as mayor, this then snowballed into a full body wax if the people of Swindon stumped up at least £5,000.

He admits to being vain about his hair and he has not been without his trusty beard for 40 years.

He said: “I wanted to do something personal for my last push to raise money for local charities.

“My chin has never seen the light of day and everyone who knows me knows I am vain about my hair.

“From there it has snowballed and I am now prepared to have a full body wax if I can raise at least £5,000.

“I decided to hold the event on May 22 as the day before is my last formal function as mayor and my wife said she would kill me if I attended that with a shaved head.”

Coun Wren is now seeking people to join him in a bid to raise as much cash as possible for his chosen charities, which are 105.5FM, Leaves, The Swindon Downs Syndrome Group, Swindon Guide Dogs For The Blind and Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool.

In his term so far, Coun Wren has raised just under £25,000 for the charities but is determined to make that £30,000 before he hands the baton over to Rex Barnett.

Last week Coun Wren organised a charity curry event at the Bombay Lounge with a raffle and an auction.

If you are interested in sponsoring him, you can send any cheques to Erz Turner, The Mayor’s Parlour, Civic Offices,Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 2JH.

Cheques should be payable to “Swindon Borough Council” and please write “Mayor’s Charity – Haircut” on the back of the cheque.

All the money needs to be collected and sent to Erz before May 21.

If you would like to take part in the head shave, and can raise at least £100, contact Coun Wren for a sponsorship form on 01793 337591.