AN EIGHT year-old girl had almost a foot of her hair chopped off for a charity that provides wigs for cancer patients.

On March 17 Jiva Gulati parted ways with her 11 inch plaits at Zebe & Ismail's hair saloon in Ilford.

The hair will be used by the Little Princess Trust to make wigs for children who have lost theirs through cancer treatment and other illnesses.

Braving the snow with her newly trimmed barnet, Jiva raised more than £160 collecting donations from her neighbours on Woolhampton Way, Chigwell.

Dad Anu Gulati said: "She was inspired by the idea of doing something for charity and by giving something back to the community.

"She heard about the Little Princess Charity that make wigs for people that have cancer and was inspired.

"On the day she was excited and determined, but also a little apprehensive. It's a bit colder for her. She's thinking in another eight years she might do it again."