A 12-YEAR-old girl from Darlington cut around 22 inches of her hair off for a charity that makes wigs for children.

Esme Kay, who attends Hurworth School in Darlington decided to have her long hair cut off to raise funds for the Little Princess Trust and enable them to make a wig from it.

The real hair wigs are given to children with cancer or other conditions, who have lost their hair whilst undergoing chemotherapy.

Esme said she was glad she has donated her hair.

She said: "I just want to someone to be happy."

Her mam Rowan, said: "If you don't have hair it makes you feel that you stand out and singles children out, not that there's something wrong with you, but it's nice to feel the same. She's always had long hair, everyone calls her Rapunzel. She got to the age where she just wanted to give it someone who doesn't have any hair - alopecia or cancer, so that they feel the same as everyone else, she just wants someone to feel how she feels."

To date Esme has raised £600, it costs £550 to make one wig for a child or young person.

Esme has always had long hair, donating her hair will help restore a child's confidence and identity, the trust said.

It was the first time, except for the occasional trim, that Esme has had a haircut.

Paul David hairdressers in Duke Street cut Esme's hair for her.

To donate to esme go to https://gofund.me/354076ee