A PRUDHOE schoolgirl declared herself “really, really happy” after having over eight inches of hair cut off to donate to the Little Princess Trust.

While seven-year-old Martha Lewis said she was nervous before having her locks chopped off, she said she was happy she could help poorly children, who will benefit from the wigs made from the donated hair.

The St Matthew’s Primary School pupil sprang into action last year after seeing a programme about the Little Princess Trust, deciding to grow her hair to the required length to have it cut off and sent to the charity.

The Little Princess Trust gives free wigs to children who have lost their hair through cancer or other illnesses.

But Martha thought she could do more than just donate her hair, and has also raised over £800 for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Martha’s mum, Catherine said: “We thought why not get her sponsored too? So she made her own sponsor form and was asking friends and family.

“Then her dad put it on Facebook, and so far she’s raised £812.75 including gift aid – she’s had lots of lovely comments too. A friend of the family’s little girl has cystic fibrosis. so that’s why she chose that charity.

“We’re really proud of her. It’s a big thing for a seven year old to have it as her own idea and see it through for such a long time.”

Now Martha is hoping to set up her own website where she will sell t-shirts sporting her own designs to raise money for Help For Heroes.

“She’s a really caring little girl and tries to help everybody,” added Catherine.

Martha is still raising money through her JustGiving page, which can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marthalewis.