A pupil has been told she cannot shave her head at school to raise money in memory of her father.

Sian Lawrence, 15, of Reuben Walk, Earls Colne, had planned to shave off all her hair at Ramsey Academy, in Colne Road, to fundraise for St Helena Hospice, in Colchester.

The charity cared for her father, Ian Lawrence, and supported their family when he died of pancreatic cancer in 2008, aged 60. 

However, the teenager has now been told she cannot hold the event at school or have her hair shaved during term time.

The family will now have to compromise with a short hair cut as opposed to a complete shave. 

Deputy headteacher Calum Leys said the school felt that holding the event at school would give "mixed messages in relation to the general expectations of our students" but that it would be supporting a non-uniform day and bake sale in aid of the hospice.