Most men have had a close shave with a moustache.

Some men have not shaved since their first facial foliage spluttered out of their pores like an early bloom, others disguise their crooked teeth behind a massive handlebar, and some invest in their supposed pulling power and spend the first 30 minutes of every morning going around their barbule.

Men's magazine M, out tomorrow with The Times, investigates the form and function of facial hair by going out in the streets and digging at men's hairy roots.

The magazine also looks at middle-age, which is always a turning, or tipping, point for men. Claudia Calleja interviews three men on how they celebrated, or censored, the big 40.

World War II may be over but it is still raging in veterans' minds. James Borg meets three war veterans and learns how they were shot at, bombed, thrown in shark-infested waters and taken prisoners by the Japanese and, yet, survived.

In a beautiful pictorial by photographer George Saguna, M also polishes his memories and remembers the Malta shipyards.

M also takes a look at installation artist Pierre Portelli's photo album, works some magic with brothers Vanni and Joe Pulé and welcomes its sassy new dating contributor - Mam'selle X.

M magazine is designed by MediaMaker Ltd and printed by Progress Press Ltd, both members of the Allied Group. The magazine's editor is Stanley Borg.