A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD from Ascot has donated 22 inches of her hair and raised nearly £500 for children's cancer charity the Little Princess Trust.

Tayja McGahan had her locks lopped off to make two wigs for the charity, which helps children suffering from hair loss following illness or chemotherapy.

Her remaining hair was cut and blow dried for free by Hayley Beaumont of Hayley Zoe's Hair & Beauty in Martins Heron.

The Cranbourne Primary School pupil was inspired by her cousin's own charitable efforts.

Her mum Balbir McGahan explained: "About a year ago one of our nieces had her hair cut and donated it to charity and that put the idea in Tayja's head.

"She has been talking about it for ages and this year she decided she was going to get it done."

Mrs McGahan's roots are in the Sikh culture of the Punjab, which traditionally forbids its members from snipping their hair.

"Tayja wanted the cut to be worthwhile because of that," she added.

"She's also just joined the Brownies so she's into doing things for other people."

Mrs McGahan, who works nearly full-time as a nurse at LVS in Ascot, is understandably very proud of her daughter's philanthropic achievement and the impact that it will have on her schoolfriends.

She said: "I think it teaches the children and has just got them thinking about other children who aren't as fortunate as them.

"It is in their conscience but this has brought it home to their little world. It has done them good to grapple with children's cancer face-to-face rather than through stories they hear on the TV.

"If a child is getting their hair cut it will stay with them for quite a long time."

To donate to Tayja's cause go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tayja-mcgahan