A SEVEN-year-old lopped off her locks for charity and raised nearly £2,000 in the process.

Farlington School’s Arabella Mason has raised more than £1,850 in donations for the charity Little Princess Trust by pledging to donate her hair.

The haircut took place in Farlington’s New Courtyard Hall in front of an audience of Prep School children on Friday.

Head teacher Frances Mwale told pupils what Arabella was doing and commended her for her charitable actions.

She added: “Arabella Mason has amazingly beautiful long, glossy and thick hair –at least she did, before deciding to donate a length of it to the charity, Little Princess Trust.

“For the sum of £350, the charity will produce a wig for a child who has lost their hair, through illnesses, such as cancer and subsequent treatment, or due to congenital conditions."

A minimum length of about 7in (18cm) had to be cut.

Brave Arabella decided to fundraise using a Just Giving page and then have her tresses trimmed in front of her class and also her sister’s class at Farlington Prep.

The headteacher added“The girls watching decided that this was not only a really brave thing to do but a really beautiful act.

“They all realised the importance to our self-esteem as well as our looks from having shiny, healthy hair and felt that donating to somebody they would probably never meet, was incredibly kind.

“Arabella’s own hairdresser came along to school to do the deed.

“We all applauded and made Arabella feel at ease.

“So far, a staggering total of £1,845 has been raised.”

Arabella sat bravely as her long hair was put into a plait before hairdresser Jo Dowding produced her scissors.

The plait was then placed in a special envelope to be sent to the charity.

The seven-year-old is donating her locks to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children with cancer and other illnesses.

The charity, which was set up in 2006, has given away over 4,000 free wigs.

Each wig costs the charity £350 to make, so Arabella’s efforts will make a significant difference to a number of children.

Mrs Mwale added: “Staff and pupils at Farlington are very proud of Arabella and how she has done something so selfless for others.

“If you would like to donate to this very worthwhile cause, please visit Arabella's Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/arabellashaircut.”