Two caring nine-year-old girls had their long hair cut to help a charity.

Isabelle Freezer and Grace Gibson both donated their hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that creates real hair wigs for children and young people who have lost their hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

The two youngsters attend Forest Town Primary School and had their hair cut at the salon at Samworth Church Academy, Mansfield.

Isabelle said: “I am glad I have done it and like my new hairstyle. I have pink, purple, and blue spray in it as well! I am happy that I can help the Little Princess Trust and children who need hair for wigs.”

Grace added: “I wanted to do it because it’s a good thing to do. People donate their hair because some children lose their hair to cancer. I actually felt excited to do it, and I haven’t really thought about a new style until now.”

Grace’s mum, Dawn Gibson, watched the transformation by Bev Nita, who runs the salon at the academy, said: “I am proud of Grace. Some of her friends have done this before and she has said for quite a while that she wanted to donate her hair as well.

“When Isabelle said she was going to have her hair done we decided they should do it together.”

Isabelle’s mum, Clare Freezer, said she admired both children.

“It is such a big decision to have your hair cut like this, but Isabelle understands why she is doing it and she understands that she is helping other people,” she added.

“As a client of the salon I knew that the girls would get a new look done professionally too. I am a regular here and knew they would be in safe hands.”

The salon at Samworth Church Academy is used for training students in a range of qualifications, including NVQ level 2 and NVQ Level 3, and it is City and Guilds Accredited. The salon also operates as a full commercial salon open to paying clients.

Bev said she was happy to help the girls to donate to the charity.

“It was such a thoughtful, selfless thing that these young ladies did. I am happy to do anything to help.

“Working in hairdressing for the past 40 years, I understand the importance of hair and what it can do for people. It can give them confidence, give them a new lease on life and make them feel better.

“For young people to lose their hair must be devastating and so being able to have a wig made of real hair and not synthetic is a must.

“I also know the cost of real hair wigs and nice ones start from £400-£500, which is a prohibitive amount of money for many, so this charity is really important.