ONE minute the 61-year-old councillor and postman was sporting a full head of hair which men several years younger would have been proud of.

ONE minute the 61-year-old councillor and postman was sporting a full head of hair which men several years younger would have been proud of.

However, a couple of pairs of scissors and a trimmer left Keith Gilbert with just a few strands at the back and sides.

But 'Don't Panic' Captain Mainwaring!

The new look for the well known postie and member of Watton and Breckland councils was done so he could resemble the captain of the Home Guard for his role in the forthcoming production of Dad's Army by the Boo and Hiss group at the town's Queen's Hall.

Mr Gilbert is also raising money for the armed forces charity Help For Heroes from the sponsored head shave.

A crowd gathered outside the Post Office in Watton High Street on Saturday afternoon as Mr Gilbert's partner Rita Lake and sub-postmistress Jacky Welsh started the cut and then fellow postman Colin Morton completed the job with the trimmer.

'Oh no, where has it gone?' joked Mr Gilbert, as he felt his shaved head.

'It's all for sale!' he told passers-by and as the cutting went on he said: 'It is the most attention I have had from two women for years!'

Mr Gilbert said: 'I have always had a good head of hair since I was 18 months old. To get to 61 and still have a full head of hair is pretty and people a lot younger would be proud of it.'

He said he was very keen to support HFH.

'It ties in with Dad's Army which was set in the war and we are now at war again. A lot of people are doing a lot of things beyond the call of duty and it is good that we can do something for them.'

Mrs Lake said: 'I have got to live with it and I will be glad when it grows back! It is all for the sake of the play and it will be worth it.'

Mrs Welsh said: 'I think he is very community spirited and I love his sense of humour and the fact it is being done for the charity.'

Mr Gilbert only stepped in to play the part of Captain Mainwaring when another actor had to pull out less then a month before the opening night.

The Boo and Hiss production of Dad's Army is on from Thursday September 24 to Saturday September 26, 7.45pm. Tickets are available from Mullenger & Co in Watton High Street or by calling 01953 883474.