When Susan Manning started growing her hair in 2006, she had no idea she would go on to win a national competition for a charity helping children undergoing treatment for cancer.
But after donating 77cm of her long locks, Ms Manning was crowned the winner of the Little Princess Trust's Rapunzel Event in London on Saturday.
The Reydon grandmother was selected as one of five finalists to take the chop and donate her hair to help the charity's work in providing wigs, free of charge, to children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment and other illnesses.
Joined by her daughter Saffron and grandchildren, Mrs Manning was invited to County Hall in London where students from a local hairdressing college plaited and cut her hair, before her donated locks were measured against the other finalists.
She said: 'I had seven plaits so I felt like an octopus that had lost a leg. The stylist then cut my hair and I had it cut right to the scalp.
'I was so surprised to win because I thought I would have about 70cm of hair to donate but I was really pleased they managed to get an extra 7cm.
'The charity is so worthwhile and the people who run it are wonderful. The whole day was fantastic and they couldn't have looked after us any better.'
Mrs Manning also met the Little Princess Trust founders, was taken on a trip to the Shrek's Adventure attraction in London, and was presented with a certificate by The Only Way Is Essex star Mario Falcone.
As well as donating her hair, Ms Manning has been raising funds for the charity, and has collected over £500.
She said: 'People have been so kind and generous, it has been overwhelming. I'm so grateful so everyone who has donated and helped me along the way.
'I feel really pleased that I was able to give them so much of my hair and I would definitely do it again, although I still haven't got used to it being short.'
To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sue-Manning1 or for more information about the charity visit: www.littleprincesses.org.uk
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