GOSH - what an unexpectedly hair-razing experience a charity auction turned out to be for these three organisers.

The trio, from left: Lewis Turner and his brother Graeme with their friend Paul Hinds, didn't realise that their precious barnets were also going to help boost funds at Saturday's event in Trunch Social Club in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

But auctioneer Leon Smith, who brought the hammer down on more than 60 lots, suddenly invited donations to persuade the men to have their heads shaved. �416 worth of pledges later, out came the razor and the trio's tresses tumbled.

'We couldn't turn it down. We could have done with it happening at a different time of year though - it's going to be cold,' said Mr Hinds, of Hadfield Road, North Walsham.

But the trio's cold heads were more than matched by the heart-warming total of �4,375 raised during the evening through lots including a 40in TV, an outdoor cob oven, and signed football shirts donated by Norwich City and Arsenal.

The Turner brothers and Mr Hinds are all friends of Jamie and Laura Grand, of Lyngate Road, North Walsham, whose baby daughter Casey was a patient at Great Ormond Street for much of her short life.

Casey died there in January, aged two-and-a-half, after battling through heart surgery and a number of other medical conditions.

'The hospital did so much for Casey, and for Jim and Laura, and we wanted to give something back,' said Mr Hinds.

They will also be shaking buckets for the cause at Norwich City's home game against Newcastle Utd on December 10 and plan a sponsored London-to-Paris bike ride next August.