A WOMAN from Riddlesden who was sponsored to have her long hair cut to help seriously ill children has smashed her fundraising target.

Jacqui Chang, 48, spent a year and a half growing her hair then had most of it cut off at Christmas in order to donate it to the Little Princess Trust.

The charity provides real-hair wigs, free of charge, to boys and girls who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment and other illnesses.

Miss Chang, a teacher at Belle Vue Girls' School, Bradford, and chair of governors at Keighley's Victoria Primary School, has so far managed to raise £854, more than double her original target.

She had her hair cut by Stefania Risidi, of Hairavanti Salon, in Cavendish Street.

Miss Chang said: "Students and staff from Belle Vue Girls and Victoria Primary schools, along with family and friends have been very supportive.

"I'm completely overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone. A huge thank you to Hairavanti, particularly Stef who donated her services in cutting my hair for the Little Princess Trust and re-styling my hair for free.

"This whole experience has really underlined the true magic of Christmas."