A TEENAGER battling cancer has become the face of a new modelling campaign.

James Murphy, from Rishton, was diagnosed with leukaemia three months ago.

The trainee hairdresser at Kellie Hughes in Whalley, 18, has now cut off his signature barnet in preparation for the hair loss he will experience during his cancer treatment.

Mr Murphy, a former student at St Christopher's CE High School, said that he cut his hair off to 'take back control'.

Now, he has been signed up to be part of a new campaign by Scotts menswear, specifically for its limited-edition Teenage Cancer Trust bobble hat, with donations from each sale going to the charity.

The red and blue hat is being modelled by Mr Murphy, who is being treated on the NHS Young Oncology Unit at The Christie hospital in Manchester.

Mr Murphy said: "It was a real shock when I was diagnosed.

"It was found quite late so I was taken very soon to hospital and my treatment started.

"Cutting my hair off was one of the most emotional things to have happened because it meant a lot to me.

"I just didn't want my hair to start falling out and I wanted to take back some control over what was happening to me.

"I was really excited to be told from my district nurse about the modelling opportunity and it's great that it's helping to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

A spokesman for the cloths company said: "Three months ago, James was diagnosed with Acute lymphobastic leukaemia after noticing lumps on his neck.

"After he was diagnosed he chose to go to The Christie because of its outstanding reputation.

"James will be seen modelling the hat on scottsmenswear.co.uk, as well as the social channels for scotts.

"He has done some modelling work previously and he jumped at the chance to model the new Teenage Cancer Trust in a bid to raise awareness for the charity.

"The Teenage Cancer Trust makes sure the seven young people aged 13 to 24 diagnosed with cancer every day don’t face it alone.

"Currently, the charity can only reach around half of young people with cancer, and aims to raise £20million every year by 2020 so that every young person with cancer has access to expert care and support they need."