One of the event organisers, Todd McBeardo (the pseudonym he has used to compete in international beard competitions) said he and his fellow beard enthusiasts had been overwhelmed by the support for the event since it launched on social media in December.

"We all have get togethers every so often and drink beer and grow beards," he said of the Bearded Bandits.

"A lot of people wanted a competition or something but we thought, it's not that exciting when it's just beard, so we thought we would do something different."

That something different was a beauty pageant, where 17 shortlisted bearded men will be subject to a Miss Universe style interview in formal attire and a talent section in leisure attire.

There will even be a section for the ladies, the Whiskerina competition (ladies wearing fake beards), before Mr and Mrs Beardstock are declared.