A LOCAL shaving brand has been called into action in the heat and dust of Iraq as it answered a call to duty from our American cousins.

Lee Mill based Bluebeards Revenge was promptly dispatched to the most hostile of environments after a request from the bravest of the brave – USA's 501st Battalion Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squad, part of the elite bomb disposal Task Force 'Troy', based in the southern Iraqi city of Basrah.

Complaining bitterly at the effect the Middle Eastern heat and dust had on their daily shaving ritual, Captain Mark Stetzko, Operations Officer for the unit, made the plea to Bluebeards in the hope that their specialist shaving cream would do the job.

Bluebeards uses a unique ingredient called Decelerine that targets hair follicle cells and weakens new hair formation.

Captain Stetzko said: 'I'm currently serving a long, hot, and dusty deployment to Iraq.

'The heat, dust, and pollution here dries our faces out and causes them to break out.

'One of the things that we have taken for granted while being here is some really good shaving cream that would really help reduce the harshness of the environment on our faces.

'I'm wondering if your company would be willing to donate some of your shaving range to us here in Iraq.'

Bluebeards Revenge sent out shaving kits to the troops, and the 501st EOD squad were delighted with the results.

One bomb disposal expert said: 'The Bluebeards Revenge shaving cream is excellent. Its the best shaving cream I have ever used.'

Another happy shaver added: 'Bombs, bullets, heat and dust didn't stand a chance when I used the Bluebeard's Revenge.'

Bluebeards Revenge founder and former Royal Marine Commando, David Hildrew, was delighted to have helped. He said: 'The work of these Explosive Ordnance Device Clearance teams is fraught with danger and we are only too pleased to be able to support them in anyway we can.

'We take great pride in our "manly" brand and it is nice to hear that it performs so well in the harshest of conditions.'

The 501st EOD squad have been carrying out vital work in the battle against insurgents in Basrah, including dealing with potentially deadly roadside bomb attacks.