A DARLINGTON student inspired to shave off her long dark locks by the story of her friend's young niece has raised £1,371 for charity.

Seventeen-year-old Alice Reid and her best friend, Laura Rutherford, were devastated when Laura's two-year-old niece, Katie Grant, was diagnosed with cancer in September.

Alice, who attends Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, said: "It was a terrible shock when we discovered that Katie had cancer. I wanted to do something to make her feel better and help other children with the disease at the same time."

Katie had already had surgery to remove the brain tumour and was about to start chemotherapy treatment at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, when Alice was inspired to hold a sponsored head shave to support her.

Alice has had long hair all her life but took the brave step in front of an audience of school friends and teachers on October 3.

"I knew that Katie's hair would fall out as a result of the chemotherapy treatment and so I decided to have my long hair shaved off as well, so that we would look the same," she said.

"I was aiming to raise about £700 for Cancer Research UK but people have been really generous and I'm delighted that I've collected nearly double that amount. I'm really pleased with all the support I have received from family and friends. I like my short hair but I have had to start wearing a hat when it's cold."

Alice's donation marks the start of Children's Cancer Month and will help fund research in Newcastle to improve existing treatments for children and find new ones.

Community fundraiser Lindsay Kay said: "We are extremely grateful to Alice for helping to draw attention to children's cancers and for raising such a fantastic amount of money."

For more information on the Little Star Appeal, call 08701 602040. Donations can be sent to Cancer Research UK, 6 Lambton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4RX.