2:09pm Thursday 26th July 2007
By Jon Cheetham
SHOPPERS pulled some hideous and hilarious faces for the cameras in the company of world champion gurner Tommy Mattinson.
He visited Erith Riverside Shopping Centre today as part of National Facial Awareness Week.
The six-times world champion has been gurning since the age of 11 when he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was also a gurner.
The World Gurning Championship is held annually in Egremont, Cumbria, the home of gurning since it began when somebody bit on a sour apple in the 13th Century.
Tommy is currently touring the UK raising money for Cancer Research UK to raise funds for vital research into beating cancer.
The charity is particularly close to Tommy's heart since he survived a battle with thyroid cancer.
Centre manager for Erith Riverside Barry Owen said, "We all know that shopping can be stressful, we aim to make shopping as uplifting and relaxing an experience as possible.
"It is thought that gurning is a very useful way of relaxing facial muscles, combating ageing and increasing the flow of endorphins which decreases blood pressure."
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