Whether worn by military top-brass, anchormen, teachers or policemen, sporting a 'tache suggests authority and wisdom.

In fiction criminals knew they were rumbled when Agatha Christie's hairy-lipped investigator Hercule Poirot arrived on the scene.
Ladies felt safer with TV's 'tache wearing private investigator Magnum PI by their side.

But now the moustache is being worn for a newer purpose – to promote men's health.

Throughout the month of 'Movember' thousands of men from across the globe will grow their own 'tache in honour of the Prostate Cancer Charity.

Around 35,000 British men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It is the most common cancer in men and claims the life of at least one every hour in the UK alone.

Together, the charity and Movember hope to change the face of men's health.

John Neate, chief executive of the charity, said: "Last year, we launched an ambitious strategy, setting out key changes we must see in men's experience of prostate cancer by 2020.

"Movember will be an essential part of achieving these changes, enabling us to fight prostate cancer on every front."

Now in its third year in the UK, Movember was launched in Australia in 2003 where 'mo' is slang for moustache.

More than 16,000 people took part here last year, raising £2.4m for charity

Entrants start clean-shaven on Movember 1 and are asked to grow their 'tache for the entire month. And that is exactly what Wigan Evening Post reporter Chris Wilkinson will do.

Follow Chris's blog by clicking here and if you are taking part yourself – get in touch.

Chris is looking for support so to make a donation go to http://uk.movember.com/mospace/203627 or for more information about Movember go to www.movember.com