A TEENAGER has swapped her waist-length locks for a sophisticated bob so her hair can make a wig for a child with cancer.

Shannon Plant, a Year Ten pupil at Tottington High School, faced the chop in order to donate at least 45cm of her hair to the Little Princess Trust.

The 15-year-old has been growing her hair since the age of eight and earlier this month had it cut at Antony for Hair Partnership in Tithebarn Street, Bury.

Shannon, of Canterbury Drive, Bury, wanted to raise at least £350 in sponsorship, the cost of making one of the bespoke wigs, but has exceeded that target and, so far, raised £595 through donations.

She said: “The cut itself went really well although I was nervous going to the hairdresser as I hadn’t had a proper haircut in ages.

“It was strange when I felt the scissors make the first chop, but I really like the style now and everyone at school likes it too.

“I feel very mature with my hair like this. It is so much easier to wash and brush, does not get knotted as easily and I don’t have to spend ages doing it in the morning. It is amazing to have raised £595 as it is a lot more than I was expecting to get.”

Her mum, Clair Plant, added: “The cut looks really nice and she looks totally different, really grown up. I actually felt quite emotional when they cut the first lock of hair and everyone is so proud of her.”

To make a donation: go to justgiving.com/ShannonPlant