AN Alloa schoolgirl had around 12 inches of hair lopped off to help children with cancer.

Eilidh Smith braved the chop at the weekend and will send her locks to the Little Princess Trust.

She will donate her plaits to the charity, which makes wigs and hairpieces for youngsters suffering from hair loss.

The 10-year-old had been thinking about snipping her hair for the the cause for a while.

Mum Louise had mentioned the organisation some time ago and Eilidh never forgot it.

However, when a family member was diagnosed with cancer she was determined to go for it.

She had her hair cut on Sunday, March 5 and has managed to raise an impressive sum in the process.

Louise said: "I really thought she would chicken out of cutting her hair but when she asked me to set up a Just Giving page, I knew she was serious.

"I'm just so unbelievably proud of her."

The Park Primary pupil had initially wanted her hair to be made into a wig for her nana.

However, with the cost of that well into the hundreds, she decided to give it to charity.

With that in mind, she also set her sights on raising some money for the Little Princess Trust to aid its work.

Support from family and friends, especially Asda where her nana and dad Craig work, saw her smash her target.

Louise had set a starting goal of £200 and Eilidh has met that and more, with the figure looking set to hit around £600.

The 29-year-old said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to all our family and friends who donated, as well as all the people who donated who work with Craig and my mum at Asda.

"Eilidh would like to tell anyone who is thinking about having the chop to please think about doing it this way and would like to say a massive thank you for all the donations and kind words everyone has given her.

"She was really scared but proud of herself and glad she can help a little girl or boy."

Money can still be donated to Eilidh's cause.