She has been growing her hair her entire life but now a 12-year-old Helston schoolgirl has taken the chop to support young cancer victims.

Tegan Nesbit was inspired by a project at Helston Community College earlier this year, in which she learnt about the charity The Little Princess Trust.

This provides wigs made out of real hair to children aged between two and 18, who have suffered hair loss due to cancer treatment.

Having never had a proper hair cut, only trims, Tegan was keen to support the charity that she thought was “a wonderful idea.”

Her mum Sara said: “She felt strongly about trying to help a child who may have suffered from hair loss.

“Tegan has always had long hair, but started to grow it even longer when she made the decision to donate some of her hair.”

Having grown it to just below her waist, she was able to donate eight inches in length by having her hair cut into a bob.

Tegan said: “I have always had long hair and like to make sure that I look my best. For any child to lose their hair through chemotherapy must be heart breaking. My hair will grow back quickly – it's not life changing, but having cancer is.”

The cut was carried out by Sarah’s hair stylist Nick at Rococo Hair Salon in Truro, who carried out the chop for free.

So far Tegan has managed to raise in excess of £1,100, as well as donating her hair, partly thanks to the support she has been given by all three of Helston’s Rotary clubs: Helston, Helston-Lizard and Cober Valley.

Readers can also add to her cause by donating via her Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/Tegan-Nesbit