HUNDREDS of hirsute Britons are set to earn a bit of extra Christmas cash by allowing harried shoppers to stroke their bearded faces, reports the BBC.
More than 4,000 blokes responded to a job advertisement posted by Leicester-based hair products maker Mo Bro's Grooming Co, offering 30 per hour for those prepared to staff a "beard stroking station".
The soothing service aims to de-stress shoppers in the final days before Christmas, with Mo Bro's co-owner Keval Dattani citing studies suggesting that patting pets can be good for health.
"We didn't want to enlist the help of animals because obviously they can be somewhat unpredictable and chaotic.
"So, doing what we do, we thought beards are the next best thing," Dattani said.
The "stroking station" will see bearded blokes poke their heads through a wooden screen, with each session taking 20 minutes and accompanied by appropriately soothing music.
Hand sanitiser will be available, and the strokers will also have the option of wearing disposable gloves, while Mo Bro's products will be on hand to combat dry skin from too much rubbing.
"The last thing they'll want is itchy beards," Mr Dattani added.
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