A TEENAGER has had his long hair cut off to raise cash for Teesside Hospice.

Joseph Gill, of Hob Hill Close, Saltburn, had his locks cut at the Cheveux Hair Salon, in the town's Station Square, on Saturday.

The hair cut has so far raised more than £400.

Joseph, a student at Sacred Hearts School, in Redcar, said: "I had become a bit bored with having my hair long and decided to get it cut. I thought I may as well try to raise some money for charity at the same time, and chose Teesside Hospice because it is the main charity we support at school.

"I think my haircut looks a bit weird, but one of my friends pointed out that I look a bit like Ewan McGregor, from Star Wars, so that's not a bad comparison.

"I've had a lot of sponsorship from people at school, so I think the reaction will be more 'good on you', rather than taking the Mickey."

Joseph's mother, Sue Gill, said she was pleased with her son's new look.

She said: "I think it really suits him. I was a bit nervous at first, but I think it's fantastic. And to have raised so much money for the hospice is excellent."