Schoolgirl Katie Lygo is having her long locks chopped to help little girls battling cancer feel like princesses.

The 11-year-old, whose mum Marie Burman is currently fighting her own battle against cancer, has only ever had her hair trimmed before.

But she has been inspired to have the more drastic haircut by her 15-year-old cousin Chelsea Clark, of Greengates.

Chelsea recently had 17cms cropped to raise money for the same Little Princess Trust charity that makes real hair wigs for child cancer patients and Katie wanted to help too.

The youngster, who is a pupil at Bowling Park Primary School and lives with her family at Selside Close, West Bowling, was due to have 30cms cut off today.

So far Katie has raised £200 for the charity, getting sponsorship from family, friends and others on Facebook and on her Just Giving page.

Katie’s grandma, Christine Stones, from Windhill, Shipley, told the Telegraph & Argus about Katie’s efforts.

She said: “We are all very proud of her.”

But the proudest of all is Katie’s mum who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in October and is having radiotherapy.

She said: “Katie’'s got beautiful hair, it’s half way down her back. She’s never had it cut, it’s only ever been trimmed so this is pretty drastic but she’s determined that’s what she wants to do.

“She heard what her cousin had done and wanted to do the same but wanted it all chopping off! She’s a great girl – she gets on with her school work and she's always helpful – it’s just her way”

Miss Burman is about to have her final radiotherapy treatment and said support from family and friends – especially Katie – had been a massive help.

Anyone wanting to support Katie can make a donation by going to Justgiving.com and searching for Katie Lygo – 30cm sponsoredhaircut.