A kind-hearted young girl from Cowling will sacrifice her flowing locks to help a family friend fighting cancer.

Six-year-old Ellie Crawford, of Gibb Street, will have her hair shorn at an event in Cross Hills next month.

It will then be made into a wig for eight-year-old Glusburn youngster Tyler Manley.

Like Ellie, Tyler attends Glus-burn Community Primary. She has been off school since September recovering from an operation in which she had a tumour removed from her brain.

Commenting on Ellie’s hair-raising experience, Glusburn Primary headteacher Richard Hunt said: “I think this is a fantastic gesture in support of one of her school-mates.

“It shows what kind and caring children we have at Glusburn Primary.”

Ellie will have her hair cut on December 21 at the Cross Hills Co-op, which is where her grandmother works. The day will also include a raffle.

Ellie’s mum, Leanne Crawford, 32, said the gesture has extra significance for her family has her own mother died of cancer three years ago.

She added: “I think what Ellie is doing is absolutely wonderful. I know my mum would think the same – she’d be very proud of her.

“My mum lost all of her hair and she wore an NHS wig, which she found very itchy and uncomfortable. It’s very expensive to have a wig made from real human hair.

“Ellie has beautiful, long blonde hair with ringlets, but she’d decided she wanted it cut as it’s quite thick and heavy and takes a long time to dry. She says she also wants to look like a big girl now!

“She’s really looking forward to the hair cut – she can’t wait. We both decided it would be a good thing to donate the hair to Tyler, who is blonde as well.”