A NINE-YEAR old girl who loves to have her long locks plaited is having it all chopped off for charity.

Jodie Keryk, of Heys Lane, Blackburn, is having her hair cut into a bob and will send the 10 inches that is snipped off to a charity that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

The Meadowhead Junior School pupil came up with the idea after seeing it on an American television show.

Mum Michelle said: “She’s having around 10 inches of hair cut off for the Little Princess Trust — a children’s hair loss charity — which will use the hair to make a wig for a child who has lost their hair because of cancer.

“I am so proud of her. Her hair reaches the bottom of her back and she loves it. When she has it trimmed, she doesn’t like much taking off, so this will be a drastic change for her.

“She initially got the idea from an American TV show. She said that if she ever had her hair cut, she would donate it to charity.

“It’s such a selfless thing to do. I know how much she loves her hair, but she seems quite prepared for the change.

“She said she wants to poorly boys and girls to have a special Christmas.”

Jodie’s long locks will be cut off on next Tuesday at Ab Fab hairdressers in Mill Hill, which has donated a cut and blow dry to the cause.

Owner Gail Sutton is also asking customers for donations to help Jodie raise the £350 needed to transform the hair into a wig for a child. So far she has raised around £200.

Jodie said: “I love my long hair, and I love having it in plaits, but there are children who have cancer whose hair has fallen out and it’s not their fault.

“I decided to do it at Christmas time so they could have new hair for Christmas.

“I’m positive that I want to do it because it will help another child.”

To donate visit just giving.com/jodie-keryk