A student who has a brain tumour will shave off her long auburn locks for charity.

Chantelle Penderghast, 22, a student at the University of Brighton, is undergoing chemotherapy and has decided to shave her head before her hair starts to fall out.

She discovered she had the growth last April, by which time she had already lost the sight in her right eye.

The non-cancerous tumour is sitting on the optic nerve and cannot be operated on.

Miss Penderghast, of Dorchester Gardens, Worthing, said: "When I found out I had a brain tumour I was devastated.

"I had been having really bad headaches and my vision had gone blurred but you don't expect to get a tumour when you are in your 20s."

The experience has made her determined to help others and she hopes to raise hundreds of pounds for St Barnabas Hospice, based in Columbia Drive, West Durrington, Worthing.

She said: "I am going to lose my hair anyway, because of the chemotherapy, so I may as well do some good."

Miss Penderghast will be joined by her boyfriend, Marc Stevens, and friends Dave Carlyle and Simon Winbow, when the four have their heads shaved at The Henty Arms, Ferring, tomorrow.

Bar Manager Chris Miles will play a "nearly naked billiards match" in a red flashing thong to help raise funds.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Miss Penderghast can call 07905 112863.