Geordie men show flower power with floral beards

North East florist Sue Shone is raising money for charity by creating a calendar of men posing with flowers in their beards.

The 48-year-old runs a flower shop in Gosforth, Newcastle, but decided to turn to art design alongside her partner Flemming Arnott to raise money for Orchid, a men's health charity.

The alternative calendar features pictures of public volunteers, including fishmongers and van drivers, who responded to an appeal by Sue on Facebook.

All money raised by the calendar will go towards the men's health charity Orchid, chosen by Sue and her partner because the name aptly refers to a flower.

And the beard flowers are just the beginning. Sue also hopes to get some "proper Geordie lasses" involved by photographing women with flowers in their chest, underarm and even bikini hair.

The photos are taken in a room in Sue's house, which local photographer David Williams has set up as a studio. He is a professional photographer who has offered his services for free to help raise money for the worthy cause.

The calendar will also feature monthly reminders for men to have prostate checks, in the hope of raising awareness of the importance of getting checked at a younger age. Sue and her partner are aiming to put together the calendar within the next month and there have even been talks of an exhibition taking place in Newcastle if they have enough photos.

Sue runs the Cosmic Flower Shop in Gosforth, Newcastle. To order a calendar go to www.fleursute.com.