SCHOOLGIRL Amelia Francis loved her long hair so much she did not want it cut even when it reached to the bottom of her back.

But then she learned that her locks could help children who have lost their own hair due to illness and chemotherapy.

And on Tuesday (April 28), the ten-year-old from Littletown, had the hair cut her parents wanted her to have.

Her thick, brown hair will now be used by a charity called The Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs with real hair for bald youngsters.

It was made into a plait and cut by hairdresser Hayley Lambton, a family friend, at Pittington Primary School, as friends looked on and cheered.

“Me and my husband have been trying to get Amelia to have her hair cut for a long, long time, but she loves her hair," said her mother, Amanda Francis.

“She is a little girl, she loves her long hair and she never wanted it cut, but she heard about this charity and decided she was going to get it cut for these other children.

“She thought she would be devastated if she lost her hair and when she heard she could give another little girl hair she was happy with that."

Amelia also raised more than £400 in sponsorship for the charity as well to cover the cost of making a wig.

“I can’t believe how much she has raised. I expected about £100. That is just from family and friends," said Mrs Francis. "We are very proud.”