A THOUGHTFUL Greenock schoolgirl has made the cut for charity - after shedding her long locks to help young people suffering from cancer.

Ella Maxwell, who attends St Joseph's Primary, also raised £300 from the stunt, which was in aid of the Little Princess Trust.

The seven-year-old grew her locks especially for the charity's appeal to provide real hair wigs for children and young people who have lost theirs through cancer treatment.

Her mum Nicola, 30, who lives in Fancy Farm, said: "Ella has been asking for a few years now if she could cut her hair and donate it to the Little Princess Trust and finally got the length to do it - it was down to her lower back. "She wanted to raise money as well and chose Ardgowan Hospice.

"The hospice looked after my nana. "Ella unfortunately didn't get to meet her but her middle name is Susan after her. "I think it's amazing what she's done.

"I'm really proud of her.

"She's loving life with her new hair style."

As well as helping a worthy cause, Ella has found another benefit to having less locks.

She said: "Now my mum doesn't have to struggle through long hair.

"I'm happy I finally got to do it.

"It was really long.

"I screamed at first but I like it now."

Ella got her hair braided and then cut at JC Crown Jewels in Dempster Street by hairdresser Claire Bryceland.

The locks were then sent away to the charity along with £300 raised through an online JustGiving page, and Ella and her family would like to thank everyone who contributed.