FOR much of his youth Joel Pennington was fondly known as 'Sheephead' - due to his easily recognisable crowning glory.

But that fine head of hair has been causing lots of lockdown problems.

The barbers are closed and the keen runner, who was meant to be competing in the Paris and London marathons last month, is sick of struggling to contain his unruly curls.

So they're all coming off - raising Joel's spirits and lots of money for North Lakes Foodbank, where he was volunteering this week.

"A friend suggested I shave it off and I joked that if I raised £500 I'd let my sister Mim use the garden shears.

"Within two days I raised £650!" said the former Cockermouth School pupil who is in his second year of an international business degree.

Joel, 21, was in no doubt about which charity to support.

His mother, Nikki Pennington, is vicar of Crosslacon parish and has links with the foodbank.

"North Lakes Foodbank has been running for more than 10 years and usually provide three days' worth of emergency food supplies to people in need but this has increased to seven-day packages because of the current situation," said Joel.

"They are an amazing charity, working so hard in these challenging times."

While he's looking forward to feeling more light headed, he can't imagine life without his trademark hair.

"It's always been a part of my character so it will be a bit weird to have it shaved off but the response to my challenge has inspired me.

"I'm so thrilled with how generous everyone has been."

Mim, 19, will be brandishing the shears tomorrow, in the garden of their vicarage home in Cleator Moor.

To sponsor Joel, go to: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/joel-pennington-sheepshear.