INVERCLYDE’S Provost will ‘grin and beard it’ when he grows his facial hair in a bid to save lives.

Robert Moran will ditch his razor next month for ‘Decembeard’ — a campaign run by Bowel Cancer UK, which asks men to grow a beard for the month of December to raise awareness of the disease.

The cause is very close to Robert’s heart as he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2011.

The 63-year-old’s life was saved by a simple home screening test.

He told the Tele: “Immediately after I heard about the Decembeard campaign I received my latest home screening test kit through the door, so it was obviously meant to be.

“I didn’t think twice about taking part in the campaign and will proudly grow my beard to highlight bowel cancer in the public domain and let people know that this is something that we should be aware of.

“My family encouraged me to do it too and are fully supportive of the whole idea.

“I’m not sure what my grandchildren will think of my beard, they might think I’m Santa!

“But it will be fine, I can always dye it.

“I used to have a beard in my late 20s when I worked offshore in the oil industry — it was par for the course then.”

Robert hopes he can encourage more people to do the bowel screening home screening test.

He said: “It’s so important.

“You have nothing to worry about — if you don’t do it, it could have a far worse effect.

“Nine out of 10 times bowel cancer is treatable if it is diagnosed early.

“People shouldn’t self-diagnose.

“If you think something is wrong, go to see your GP.”