A brave schoolgirl has had her hair cut off in an effort to help cancer patients.

Lucy Perry, 14, of Hedingham School in Sible Hedingham, has donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust.

The charity makes wigs for children and young adults who have lost their hair when undergoing cancer treatment.

Having learned about the charity before she started secondary school four years ago, Lucy has been growing her hair ever since in a bid to donate as much as possible to create a wig.

She went to Julian Cutter Ltd in High Street, Halstead, on Sunday to finally have her hair cut off so that it could be handed over to the Little Princess Trust.

Lucy is now encouraging others to donate their hair when going to the hairdressers and is urging people to get involved with the trust.

She said: “It’s such an easy thing to do, just visit the trust’s website and all the information is there.

“It would be great if anyone else is encouraged to do the same, and perhaps by promoting the charity we could give help give even more, it must be something really special to a child and hopefully increase their confidence.”

Lucy has also raised more than £100 for the Teenage Cancer Trust which offers care and support to young adults battling cancer.

Lucy’s mum, Lisa, added: “Lucy has wanted to do this for so long.

“I’m really proud of her and I think she just wants people to be aware of how something as simple as having your haircut can actually help make people’s lives better and give them confidence.

“I don’t really know where Lucy’s passion has come from but she is very determined and just wants to help people.”

To find out more information about the Little Princess Trust, visit www.littleprincesses.org.uk/.