Northumberland Labour says the Movember movement throughout the month of November is vital to highlight men’s health issues.

Leader Scott Dickinson said: “While things are improving, many men are still reluctant to come forward for screening, get checked up early if they find something wrong and discuss their mental health.

“So much misery for men themselves and those they love could be prevented if men took up offers of screening and check ups. Things like cancer, if caught early, is usually curable. There’s no doubt that society in general and men in particular are getting better at discussing their feelings but they are still very vulnerable to mental illness and even suicide if they don’t have a place to take their mental health and life issues.

“Northumberland Labour is 100 per cent behind Movember. Doubtless we’ll see some impressive moustaches grown which is such a brilliant and very visible way of showing support, but behind that is a very serious effort to support men throughout their lives with their physical and mental health and well-being.”