A west Norfolk student has had her long hair cut off and donated to a cancer charity.

Lauren Flowers's long brown hair, which reached down to her waist, was her pride and joy.

But now it will be making its way to the Little Princess Trust.

The charity provides real hair wigs to boys and girls across the UK and Ireland that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

The 18-year-old, from Walpole St Peter, is a hairdressing student at the College of West Anglia's King's Lynn campus.

She said: 'I decided to have my long hair cut off for the Little Princess Trust because I wanted to donate my hair to a princess.

'I have been lucky enough to have very long hair and this will help a little princess feel what it's like to have hair to play with.

'My new hairstyle does feels odd and will take some getting used to, but I like it.'

She has thanked everyone who supported her with donations, and added: 'I've already had over £250 in sponsorship money.

'My classmates have got behind me, organising a bake sale, non-school uniform day and raffle to boost the donation. This has so far raised £80 on top of my sponsorship. The Just Giving page will stay open online, so please donate if you can.'

Her sacrifice follows One Direction star Harry Styles's example as he also had his hair cut for the cause.

The Little Princess Trust has been helping children across the UK for over a decade.

Over that time, the organisation has given away over 4,000 free real hair wigs.

They are now in the process of identifying suitable research projects to fund, which will focus on finding kinder treatments for children with cancer.

You can sponsor Lauren via her Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lauren-Flowers1

Are you making a special effort for charity? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk