TENANTS champion Ron Butcher has had some hair-raising moments in recent years as he helped to steer through Fenland District Council s decision to hive off its council homes to a housing association. With his trademark hair and beard he became well kno

TENANTS' champion Ron Butcher has had some hair-raising moments in recent years as he helped to steer through Fenland District Council's decision to hive off its council homes to a housing association.

With his trademark hair and beard he became well known in housing circles as voting got under way, and tenants finally supported the transfer.

But Mr Butcher, now chairman of the shadow housing board of Roddons which will run Fenland's 4,000 council homes, decided it was time for an image make-over.

Which was why he had his hair and beard cut off - and raised £855 for Macmillan Cancer Relief and for the Hudson Palliative Care Centre in Wisbech.

Mr Butcher has now handed the money over to both organisations.

BEFORE: Left, Jean Key, chairman of March Ivy Leaf Tenants Association and a member of the Roddons Board, takes one of the first snips at Ron Butcher's beard.

AFTER: Right, Ron Butcher, minus his

trademark beard and hair.