There was a little pain and some charitable gain at one Falmouth charity shop recently as two men faced a piercing gun to raise money to fight cancer.

At least £200 was raised at the Cancer Research shop in Falmouth as two brave souls agreed have their nipples pierced in an unusual sponsored event.

Ian McCartney and Jeff Roberts grimaced as Lisa Spillar from nearby salon Hollywood gave them both a shiny new chest ornament, all in the name of charity.

Nikki Garvin, the shop manager, said: "It went very well. This time of year we have an annual Stand Up to Cancer programme."

She said although it was a national event, the shop in Falmouth "thought that we would do something a little different.

The shop was packed to watch the spectacle, and Nikki said: "I think everyone was cringeing, because obviously it hurts."

Ian, who works at the shop, said it had really hurt, and added: "I wouldn't recommend it to anybody."

"We have had cancer in my family over the years," he said, "so it's paying back a little bit and raising some money, so I don't mind at all."

He added that he would probably be keeping the bar now it was in, and said: "Considering the pain I went through it will stay there, it's a reminder and I did it for a good cause."

Nikki said the shop had already raised over £200, but that was not the final total.