A SCHOOLGIRL has sacrificed her waist-length locks to help make real-hair wigs for children suffering from cancer.

Five-year-old Rosie Dent, from Darlington, has donated her long blonde hair to the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs and hair pieces for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

The Mount Pleasant Primary School pupil was inspired to lose her hair after reading a story in The Northern Echo at Christmas about a youngster who had donated their hair to a similar cause.

She showcased her new look on the first day back at school after having it cut by relative Rebecca Shellhorn, who works at Hair by Ann–Marie, in Haughton.

Her mother Claire Robson, who has fought her own battles with leukaemia and thyroid cancer, said: “For the past nine or ten months she has been asking if her hair is long enough to have it cut.

“She said she wanted it cut before she went back to school and we had to keep asking her if she was really sure, but she was adamant.

“I cried on the day she got it cut but we are over the moon with her.

“Her dad Peter Dent and nine-year-old brother, Daniel, are really proud of her."

The youngster has also raised more than £300 for the charity – smashing her £150 target.

To donate visit justgiving.com/Rosieshaircut