The 2012 International German Beard and Moustache Championships have been held in Bad Schussenried.

Beards from around the world have travelled to Bad Schussenried and took part in 18 categories, including Imperial Moustaches, Dali Moustaches and Chin Beard Freestyle.

A total of 163 of the world’s most interestingly decorated faces paraded through the town before the competition got under way.

Beards from around the world have travelled to Bad Schussenried and took part in 18 categories, including Imperial Moustaches, Dali Moustaches and Chin Beard Freestyle

A panel of seven judges marked each individual competitor and decided who would be crowned king in each category.

German-born Arner Bielefeldt proved to be a cut above the rest in the Full Beard Freestyle category.

Arner Bielefeldt said it was his reward for four months of “training” in his adopted home in California, USA.

The Full Beard category was the keenest contested, with 23 competitors keeping their chins up.

Although it was a close shave Herbert Dobner of Isny, Germany eventually won by a hairs breadth.

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