A GREENOCK councillor has ditched his razor and joined the Movember appeal in memory of a late colleague.

Councillor Gerry Dorrian is remembering Ken Ferguson, a popular SNP councillor for Inverclyde South West, who passed away at the age of 77 in 2009 due to prostate cancer.

He is keen to raise awareness about the disease, which tends to affect older men.

Gerry, 68, said: "We both got elected at the same time in 2007 and Ken was diagnosed six months after we we elected.

"I just felt I wanted to do something and that prompted me to back the campaign.

"The message I want to get across is not to ignore the symptoms and always get them checked out."

The grandfather is now proudly growing a moustache to publicise the cause and raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Around 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.

The Movember Foundation wants to halve the number of deaths by 2030.

The campaign also highlights other men's health conditions including testicular cancer, mental ill health and suicide prevention.

Gerry, who has set a target of £200, said: "It's something I feel strongly about and wanted to promote.

"I've had a good response from my family and friends and facebook friends.

"I saw a notice up in the Navy Club, saying if you are going to the toilet too much then you need a visit to the doctor.

"I think the message about prostate cancer is getting out there slowly but surely."