Once seen, toastmaster Mike Solomons is never forgotten thanks to his mammoth 25in upper-lip appendage.

The self-styled Mr Moustache is a familiar sight around his home in Findon, near Worthing.

This week, Mike's moustache will be in good company at the annual general meeting of the Handlebar Club.

The society, which meets in Arundel tomorrow, celebrates Britain's most fantastic facial furniture.

There are, however, strict entry requirements.

Members are required to have "a hirsute appendage of the upper lip, with graspable extremities" - and beards are banned.

Mike, 64, the club's vice-president, said: "At one time we had more than 200 British members but now we have just under 50 with a lot of associate members abroad.

"There are not many men who grow moustaches long enough today.

"We have no female members either - though we couldn't close the door if one came along with the right moustache."

Mike adheres to a strict grooming regime to ensure his moustache remains pristine when on official duty at weddings and bar mitzvahs.

He said: "I use a little moustache wax every morning otherwise it would droop and I'd look like a walrus. I also shampoo it every day.

"My wife has always known me with it and we married 40 years ago. It was not as big when I was in the RAF but I had a small handlebar then and it has grown ever since.

"At its longest it was 34in, which, at the time, got into the Guinness Book of Records as the longest English moustache. Its now 25in long."

The Handlebar Club was established by Jimmy Edwards in 1947 to raise money for charities such as Barnardo's.

For more details and pictures of majestic moustaches, visit www.handlebarclub.org.uk