A regional daily has joined the internet craze for posting ‘no make-up selfies’ in a bid to raise money for cancer research.

Woman across the UK have been posting photographs they have taken of themselves on social mediam, raising £1m in under 24 hours.

Now staff at the Express and Star have taken up the challenge, with nine of its female journalists posting the selfies on Twitter or Facebook.

Editor Keith Harrison has also joined in, posting the following picture of himself and challenging readers to do the same.

The paper has promised to donate £3 to Cancer Research UK for the first 100 no make-up selfies received from readers.

Said Keith:  “First and foremost, this was an opportunity to raise awareness about Cancer Research.

“But it was also a chance to interact with readers in print and online, via our Star Witness portal, and donate some money for a great cause at the same time.

“The response to both the Express & Star and Shropshire Star has been fantastic and I’d like to thank everyone who has joined in – including the staff who got in the spirit of things.”

Weekend editor Emily Bridgewater said she was surprised by how popular the craze had become.

She said: “I only heard about the craze when I logged onto Facebook a few days ago. And it was actually a male friend who had posted a photo of himself with make-up on.

“I think it’s for a fantastic cause. Posing with no make-up hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be. It’s all for a good cause.

“My granddad died from cancer quite a few years ago. I’m in support of it all.”

Chief sub editor Melissa Coombs added: “I would not let anyone see me without make up normally but lots of my friends and family have been affected by cancer.

“In the last two days my Facebook has been flooded with selfies. It’s worth it if it raises awareness.”