Family and friends of an eight-year-old leukaemia sufferer have launched an appeal to buy her a funky new hair-do and hopefully "put a smile back on her face."

And a group of walkers set off for a 15-mile sponsored walk along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal on Saturday to get the appeal off to a flying start.

Laura Cowman-Bell, of Orchard Grove, Greengates, Bradford, was there to wave the fundraisers off, with her 17-year-old stepsister Rebecca Cowman leading the way.

Intensive chemotherapy to fight off Laura's aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia meant she has lost most of her long, blonde locks but thanks to the appeal she is looking forward to choosing a new trendy style made especially for her from real human hair.

Laura's mum, Julie Bell, 27, said: "She's such a girl and loved her long hair, she wants to grow it back when she's better but for now she knows she has to get by with hair-pieces. We've looked at wigs but they are all for adults and make her look as though she's got really big hair. She just wants it to look like her own."

As well as raising cash for a new hair-style, Rebecca, who works for Budget Insurance in Baildon, wants to buy a new wheelchair and some new computer consoles and games for Ward 10 at St James's Hospital, Leeds, where Laura is treated.

Because she is so poorly Laura, who is a pupil at Greengates Primary School, has to have lessons at home but she is looking forward to getting back to class and showing off her new hair.

Step-sister Rebecca said: "I'm very proud of how positive Laura has been so far but I know she can't wait to get back to school and see her friends. Hopefully the walk will raise enough money to buy her what she needs to put a smile back on her face."

Laura first fell ill in summer when she developed allergies to grass. Doctors diagnosed hayfever but her lymph-nodes then began to swell. She had one lymph node removed from her neck, then others appeared all over her head - further tests eventually revealed she had leukaemia.

Doctors have now put her on a two-year programme of intensive treatment which includes bouts of chemotherapy and regularly check-up clinics at St James's.

"Laura is very clued up about her illness and is being very grown-up about it but she is still just a little girl," said her dad John Cowman, 42.

Little sister Sadie, six, and step-brother John-Peter Cowman will also be getting involved in future fundraising stunts being planned soon. Anyone wanting to support Laura's appeal should contact Rebecca on (01274) 591382.