A GIRL has donated 18 inches of hair and raised about £450 to help make wigs for children with cancer.

Leaha Cummings, from Bishop Auckland in County Durham, decided to donate her long locks to The Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment.

She went for the chop during a special assembly at Ramshaw Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, where Leaha is a pupil.

The ten-year-old has also raised about £450 for the charity, which will go towards the cost of making the wig.

Her step-mum Alison Hobbs said: “We’re so proud of her. It’s such a big thing for her. She’s only ten and to give up something that’s quite precious to her is wonderful.

“The Little Princess Trust says it costs £360 to make each wig so we did some fundraising which so far has raised almost £450. Everybody has been so generous and the school has helped out and been so supportive as well. It’s amazing how much everyone has rallied around. We’d like to thank everyone for their generosity.”

Nicola Hutchinson, a stylist at Elite Hair and Beauty in Bishop Auckland, offered to cut Leaha’s hair for free.

Ramshaw Primary School also helped raise Leaha raise money by holding a craft morning for pupils and parents, which raised around £90.