A charitable primary school pupil is set to cut nine inches off her hair in aid of a children’s cancer charity.

On April 29, Shannon Hibbert, 11, will have her long dark blonde hair chopped off in front of a live audience of her classmates, family members and teachers at Ruskin Junior School. Teacher and former hairdresser Karen Agambar will transform Shannon’s hair into a chic bob.

The hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust which provides real hair wigs to boys and girls across the UK and Ireland that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment. Each real human hair wig can cost up to £350 to make.

To be able to donate a plaited ponytail, hair must be at least 17cm (6.7 inches) long, with Shannon's braid measuring a whopping 23cm.

Shannon, from Stratton, was inspired to go for the jaw length cut after being touched by children battling cancer.

Proud mum Emma said: “Shannon grew her hair for my sister’s wedding then she decided to keep on growing it so she could one day have it cut off for charity. She has always had short hair and never been a long hair person so she is happy to do it.

“She said she wanted to help other children because the way she sees it is that if she cuts her hair and doesn’t like it she can just grow it back. Other children might not have that opportunity.

“She feels a bit nervous about having the hair cut off in one go, it is mid way down her back, and there may be some tears later but she’s always been very selfless so I think she’ll be fine.”

Shannon is also supported by sisters’ Sophie, 13, seven-year-old Katie and father Darren, with sponsorship coming in thick and fast.

Emma said: “So far we have raised more than £200 which is just amazingly generous for Shannon. Her sisters and her classmates have really got behind her too and they can’t wait to see how it looks.

“As a family we all pull together to support her as we know what she wants to do. She has her own opinion and we all do feel very proud that she wants to do this.

“I don’t think many 11-year-olds with beautiful long hair would be brave enough to cut it all off in front of lots of people. So we are all really happy for her.”