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A British woman has appeared in a photography exhibition celebrating the world's best facial hair after growing a beard for seven years.

Harnaam Kaur is the only woman to appear in the collection of photographs after speaking out against critics of her appearance.

The 23-year-old from Slough, Berkshire, has been growing a beard since the age of 16 after being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition which causes excess hair growth.

Miss Kaur is one of 60 people chosen to appear in the exhibition, Project 60.

'It’s incredible to be the only bearded woman among all these men. It makes me feel really strong,' she said.

“And raising awareness for such a good cause is like a cherry on the top.

After being bullied as a teen, the teaching assistant tried waxing, shaving and bleaching to hide her facial hair.

Once baptized Sikh, a religion which forbids cutting body hair, the 23-year-old decided to embrace her body as it was.

'When I first started growing my beard it was for religious reasons but as the years have gone by I’ve kept it for more personal reasons.

'It makes me feel like a brave, confident woman who isn't afraid to break society’s norms,' she added.

Project 60 marks the launch of Beard Season - a non-profit organisation seeking to raise awareness of skin cancer by urging people to grow facial hair through winter.

'The whole project is about fighting melanoma and Harnaam is our secret weapon.

'For me it’s about diversity of character, not just beards. It’s about why they have it and the pride they carry by growing it.'

Australian Beard Season founder Scott Maggs said he hoped the exhibition would educate people about skin cancer.

He said: 'Four years ago I lost one of my best mates, Wes Bonny, to melanoma at the age of 26.

'At his wake a group of us decided to start something which would encourage more people to have regular skin checks.

'Not many blokes our age had beards back then and because his melanoma was on his neck we decided to cover up from the sun and let our beards grow, encouraging everyone who asked about them to have a skin check and share Wes’ story.

'Thousands of people have visited their GP or skin clinic because of what we’ve started, and every week I’ll receive messages from people who would not be here today were it not for our friendly advice.'

Brock Elbank	Scott Maggs	Harnaam Kaur	Frank Moon
Photographer Brock Elbank shows off his facial hair while taking part in Project 60 to raise awareness for skin cancer	Scott Maggs, founder of Beard Season, poses for a portrait included in Project 60 - the best 60 beards in the world	The 23-year-old from Slough, Berkshire, has been growing a beard since the age of 16 after being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition which causes excess hair growth.	Seventy-four-year-old Frank Moon, from Leamington Spa has been growing his beard from the age of 20, and is also featured in the exhibition