ACTORS starring in a play about a group of teenagers battling cancer have shaved their heads to raise money for charity.

Youngsters from the Ariel Company Theatre are putting on a production called Hospital Food at the Bury Theatre at Hurstpierpoint College.

Ahead of the play, the cast decided to get their heads shaved to raise money for the Angus Rowland Forget Me Not Fund.

Angus Rowland, from Staplefield, lost his own battle with blood cancer in 2011.

Stephen Webb, from Gogglebox, brought along his hairdresser partner to cut the youngsters’ hair.

They raised more than twice their initial £1,000 target.

Ariel director Nicci Hopson, said : “We are delighted that the event was such as success and we will continue to collect funds during the play.

“It will be a great evening of drama and tickets can be purchased online and subject to availability, on the door. Please come along and support these talented young actors.

“We would like to thank Stephen Webb from Gogglebox and his partner Daniel Lustig, from Hurstpierpoint hair salon Lustig & Webb for giving up their time to give the cast a haircut they will never forget.”

Among those volunteering to have their hair cut was stage manager Alex Ward.

His hair was so long that it is now being sent to make wigs for people suffering hair loss through cancer treatment.

Thirteen-year-old Angus Rowland died following an eight-month battle with cancer.

Angus, who was a student at St Paul’s Catholic College in Burgess Hill, was a keen actor himself and played a starring role in the school’s Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors show in the November before he died.

He documented his struggle with cancer on Facebook after being diagnosed with the disease.

His final post was to say how much he enjoyed one of the last gatherings with his friends.

He wrote: “Awesome time with everyone at the Harvester – that made my week.”

But sadly 12 days later he died.

Days after his death his profile was updated to say: “Angus has gone now but he wanted me to say that he will miss you all so much and you will always be in his heart.”

Friends and family set up the the fund after his death and have raised more than £160,000.

The play, which documents his battle with cancer, will be staged on October 28 and 29.

Tickets are still available at .arielct.co.uk.

For more about the Angus Rowland fund visit .justgiving.com/fundraising/arielshaveforangus.