AN eight-year-old Bury schoolgirl is due to donate her flowing locks to help children suffering cancer.

Julia Bannister plans to hand over between eight and nine inches of hair to Little Princess Trust when she goes under the scissors this month.

Julia, who attends St Peter’s CE Primary School, will take the plunge at Zig Zag hair salon in Brandlesholme Road, Bury.

She said: “I do love my long hair, especially when I am dancing, but when I realised some poorly children lose their hair I wanted to help.

“I am a bit nervous as it is my first time but my mum and dad always tell me that anything suits a beauty!

“I have helped raise money for Comic Relief and Children in Need, and have donated my own clothes and toys to charity before, but this is the first time I have done anything like this on my own.

“Hopefully my hair will grow out and I might be able to donate again in a few years.”

Julia, who lives in Radcliffe, plans to have her hair styled into a long bob so she can still tie it up for school, dancing and swimming.

Her parents Maria and Gary, and four-year-old brother Max, are proud of her bravery.

Mrs Bannister, an admin assistant, said: “I feel a bit emotional about Julia donating her beautiful hair – I will miss it!

“From when she she was a little girl she has always had lovely curly hair, and people always comment on it.

“Julia is a very special girl. I feel incredibly proud of her and think she is very brave and selfless.

“You never know what the future holds, so it is important for us all to do whatever we can, when we are able to do so.”

To make a donation: text WIGS01 to 70070.