Hundreds of bearded competitors will flock from America, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, Spain, Italy Philippines and Holland to the North West of England to display their facial finery.

Organisers, Sandgrown Beardsman Club, have selected the historic Blackpool Winter Gardens as the venue for the event. The 120 year old Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens has hosted many famous acts including in more recent years The Rolling Stones, The Stone Roses, Oasis, The Prodigy and Elbow.

Founder of the Sandsgrown Beardsman Club and World Beard and Moustache Championships Competitor, Brian Eva said: “We are so proud of our home town and this is a great opportunity to help put it on the map! We are honoured to be selected as the hosts of the British Beard and Moustache Championships and look forward to what is set to be a great weekend.”

The event kicks off on the Friday evening with a pre party event at another popular music venue, Bootleg Social. On the day of the event competitors will gather for a photo shoot on comedy carpet outside Blackpool Tower and then will parade over to the Winter Gardens for the start of the competition.

Overseeing proceedings on the day will  be bearded Blackpool comedian Ryan Gleeson, who has appeared on ITV's This Morning, Richard Hammond's 5 O'clock Show, various satellite shows, and who has his own daily hour long show, Talk Lancashire on Freeview across the North West of England.

Trophies are up for grabs from a massive 21 categories across beard, moustache, partial and handmade. Top male grooming brands will be selling their products in the marketplace throughout the day and local band The Troubadours will be entertaining the crowds during the post show celebrations.

The event will also be supporting UK charities. Money raised will be donated to Blackpool homeless charity Streetlife. Lions Barber Collective, an international collection of top barbers, which have come together to help raise awareness for the prevention of suicide will have a stall at the event and mens health charity Movember will be a category sponsor.

Although the competition is a large part of the weekend the focus is on fun. It will be a family friendly weekend with under 12s able to attend for free and tickets starting from £6. For more details and to register visit the event website.