In by a whisker

Literary critic Terry Eagleton, professor of cultural theory at the University of Manchester, has made it into the Beard Hall of Fame, announced last week. Professor Eagleton reached the final 30 names after replacing Virgin boss Richard Branson.

The initial entrants to the hall of fame were deemed by the Beard Liberation Front to be hirsute men who "have made a consistent contribution to positive images of beards in public life over a sustained period" since 1945. New entrants to the hall of fame will be announced quarterly.

Professor Eagleton won last year's winter beard award. The Beard of Autumn 2002 will be announced on October 31. Early nominations include film producer and chancellor of Sunderland University David Puttnam and Open University neurobiologist Steven Rose.