A Bradford electrician's ten inch dreadlocks will help to get a pair of legs for a Bingley district teenage girl.

Laura Campbell and her family have been fundraising for 18 months to raise £20,000 for a pair of lifelike cosmetic limbs.

Laura, 17, of Crossflatts, had her legs amputated as a baby. She suffers from Thrombocytopenia Radial Aplasia, a condition which causes skeletal, blood or heart abnormalities.

Last month her dream came true when she was fitted with the legs, which are so lifelike they have hair follicles and muscle definition.

But everyone with artificial limbs must have two pairs, and Laura has been told that if she wears her old NHS legs, she will get backache.

As well as being less attractive, the NHS legs were painful and took an hour to put on but with her new legs, she can be ready to go within a few minutes.

Family friend Jonathan Alexander, 32, of West Bowling, decided to have his thick dreadlocks hacked off for Laura.

He hopes to have raised more than £700 with his head shave stunt, including sponsorship from colleagues at the Bradford Community Housing Trust.

Drinkers at the Royal Pub in Crossflatts, where he was put through his ordeal this week, also paid £1 for a dreadlock.

He said: "I was cold once all my hair came off, but I would like to thank everybody, especially my colleagues, who have supported me."

Jonathan's hair was cut and shaved off by stylist Bobby Kachholia from Mario's hair salon in Kirkgate and the Wool Exchange, Bradford.

Laura and her family are trying to get new sources of funding to pay for the second set of legs, because they feel that the community has already done so much to help.

Laura said: "I am applying to charities and big companies to be able to pay for another pair.

"I have already had a lottery grant refused. But these legs give me so much independence and doctors have told me I could damage my back if I wear the NHS pair now.

"It was lovely of Jonathan to do this and we had a really good night."

Laura, who is writing a book about her experiences, plans to study art and design next year, once she is completely used to walking with her new legs.