IT was tissues at the ready as 12-year-old Poppy Harrison had her long blonde hair cut off to raise funds and awareness for Cancer Research.

Poppy, who lives in Slingsby, with her dad, Stuart, and older brother James, decided to have her head shaved in memory of her mother who died from cancer.

The head shave took place at The Grapes pub, in the village, on Tuesday night, with local hairdresser Linda Wright doing the honours.

Poppy said: “It was very emotional and it made a lot of people cry.

“Linda put my hair into two bunchies and cut one off and then the other before giving me a Mohican and finally taking it all off.

“Everyone was in tears, including my dad, who gave me a big hug and said how proud he was of me.”

Poppy said she would now donate her hair to a charity that made wigs.

“When I first looked in the mirror I started to cry and that set my friend off, but it was not because it was sad, it was just very overwhelming.”

Poppy’s mum, Jane, died in 2007 when  Poppy was six.

The Year Eight pupil at Ryedale School, who has raised more than £500, decided she wanted to take on the challenge to support Cancer Research in memory of her mother.

“It felt a bit strange the next day and I had to wear a hat as my head felt colder but I am definitely glad that I did it,” Poppy said.

Anyone who would like to make a donation can do so at The Grapes or by phoning 01653 628076.