From long red locks to a shaven head was how college IT technician Emma Carroll’s lunchtime went yesterday.

The 27-year-old, who says her hair only ever gets a light trim every two years, had the full works – all in the name of charity.

With the help of college hairdressing tutor Anna Taylor, Emma’s waist-length hair was shaved and saved for the Little Princess Trust which provides real-hair wigs to children who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Her brave feat was watched by crowds of students and staff at the college and she collected more cash to top up her £900 already gathered for the Parents’ Association for Seriously Ill Children (PASIC).

Emma said after the clippers were turned off: “I think the wait beforehand was the worst. I could see a crowd gathering and I felt quite sick. I looked at Simon (of PASIC) and his wife and tried to remember what they went through with their son Dan and why, no matter how precious my hair is to me, it’s so worth it.

“I could feel the scissors going through my hair and it was a very bizarre sensation. I don’t remember the last time my hair was actually cut. But now I’ve looked in the mirror I actually quite like it. I’m so proud to have done this for such a good cause and hope I can beat the £1,000 mark”