A YOUNG girl has raised £2,200 for charity by having her head shaved for charity.

Mia Selby, who is nine, had 15 inches of blond locks shorn off to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance.

Her plaits were initially cut off by five teachers from Leadgate Primary School, near Consett, before her head was shaved by her headteacher, Mark Watson, in front of her school friends during a special assembly on Friday.

Deputy head Clare Hannon, Kay Seccombe, Lucy Scarr, Nicola Edwards and Helen Handy all got a round of applause from children when they removed a plait.

Mia’s head was then shaved with a number two grade using electric clippers.

Mr Watson said: “It was a bit of a daunting task. I think I was shaking more than she was but she was laughing and smiling throughout.

“The children thought she was absolutely fantastic and she got three cheers afterwards. They have been coming up to hug her throughout the day.

“She has been an inspiration to them all.”

The hair will now donated to the Little Princess Trust to make wigs for children who have lot their hair while being treated for cancer.

Mia is the youngest of three girls and lives with her mother Rachael Selby, 34, and her dad, James, who is a railway mechanic in Villa Real, Consett.

Mrs Selby said she came up with the idea herself having seen the air ambulance on television and being aware of a couple of incidents in the area where the flying medics were needed.

Mrs Selby said the money has been raised with raffles, from friends and family, and by sharing the event on social media.

She said: “She looks dead cute and she cannot stop rubbing it. I think it is brilliant what she has done.”