A fundraising pensioner who was prepared to have his intimate areas waxed for charity, has been left "hopping mad" after the event was cancelled with less than 48 hours to go.

Bernard Bibby, 73, spent months undergoing gruelling personal training and publicity work in the run up to the event but received a call from the venue hosts to say it was no longer happening.

Staff from Bodylines were going to wax his entire body to raise money for male cancer charity Orchid, for which he is Kent Ambassador, at the Victoria’s Cabaret Club in Harrietsham.

He also regularly dresses up as Miss Orchid to raise awareness for the cause.

The Sittingbourne resident, of Canterbury Road, said: “I have been given no tangible or logical reason for the cancellation, which, as you can imagine, has put a lot of people out.”

He said staff at Bodylines, in Roman Square, had rearranged birthday celebrations and events to free up the time for the fundraiser, and he had spent three months training at the town's Snap Fitness.

“I have spent time at the club during May, June, July, and August on every Grease and Dirty Dancing night both promoting Orchid and informing all the ladies attending that on September 16, the waxing of me would take place on stage,” he added.

Victoria’s Cabaret Club, in Harrietsham, defended its decision to cancel the event and said staff spoke to Mr Bibby to explain why it had been called off.

A spokesman said: “What we explained to Bernard was that our customers weren’t comfortable watching that.

“Had it been a young man who was stripping off, it would be different, but it was too cringey – they’re out having a meal and that’s not something they want to see.

"We were quite happy to help out, he’s been coming up for the past seven months as Miss Orchid and that’s not been a problem, but none of our customers wanted to see this.”

Bernard added his apologies to all his supporters and said he was rearranging the waxing session at an alternate venue.