A SCHOOLGIRL from Oswaldtwistle met her pop idol on national television after raising thousands for a local charity.

Libby Shepherd, 13, raised more than £2,640 for East Lancashire Hospice by sacrificing her long blonde hair.

The Mount Carmel High School pupil took the plunge in memory of her grandfather after seeing Jessie J – who famously sang ‘it’s not about the money’ in her hit single Price Tag – do the same to raise cash for Comic Relief.

And on Surprise Surprise, shown on ITV on Sunday night, her dreams came true after she was surprised by her idol.

Libby’s friend, 13-year-old Sophie Guest, nominated her for raising money in such an unusual way.

Sophie told the show’s host Holly Willoughby: “I feel happy that I’ve been able to give her a chance to get something back for what she did. She deserves it for what she did.”

Libby travelled to London under the impression she would be filming a promotional video at the Lond-on Dungeons.

But, after being scared by a hooded figure at the scare attraction, Libby realised it was her favourite singer and burst into tears of joy.

Libby’s mum, Joanne, said: “Even we didn’t know she would be meeting Jessie J. She hasn’t stopped talking about it. She is even talking about it in her sleep.

“It’s been an amazing experience. Her friend Sophie deserves a lot of recognition for nominating Libby. It’s a very selfless thing to do.

“It was filmed four weeks ago, but we went to Jessie’s show on Saturday and got the full VIP treatment. We spoke to Jessie before she went on stage. She’s really genuine.”

Libby said: “I will never have a better day than that. Nothing will ever top meeting Jessie J. It was inc- redible. She was really nice and not one to answer questions ‘yes’ or ‘no’. She was telling me to always believe in myself, and she was telling Sophie she was a true friend. I saw her at her gig on Saturday, and we both shouted ‘surprise sur-prise’ at each other as a joke. Some singers are real- ly bad live, but Jessie J was amazing.”

Community fundraiser at East Lancashire Hosp-ice Sharon Crymble said: “It was massive for Libby, at 13 years old to shave her hair off, especially because it was so beautiful and long.

“But, after seeing Jessie J do it, she was adamant she wanted to do it, and we are grateful she wanted to do it for the hospice.”