An inspirational schoolgirl had her unusually long hair cut off to raise cash for Cancer Research UK.

When she was five, Hiral Vara decided she wanted to do something positive following the deaths of her grandfather and her uncle from cancer.

She refused to have her hair cut for nine years, so that when it reached a suitable length - 34 inches - she could sacrifice it to raise money for research into the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer.

Hiral, aged 14 said: "When my grandfather and uncle died, I wanted to raise money to help other people. I now also have an auntie who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, so I decided it was time to have my hair cut."

Jayanti Vara, Hiral's father, said: "She wanted to grow her hair when she noticed that her uncle and grandfather lost theirs as part of their treatment, so she has been doing this for a long time.

"I am very proud of her because she has put in all the hard work herself and she has organised everything."

Hiral, of Farnworth, had her hair cut to around collar length. The severed locks are to be made into a wig for a cancer patient undergoing treatment.

All cash raised from the event will go to Cancer Research UK.

Ruth Hardiman, Cancer Research UK's community fundraiser for East Lancashire, said: "Hiral is an inspiration! She is making a great sacrifice to help others at a time when most teenagers are thinking about what they will be getting for Christmas.

"One in three people in the UK will be affected by cancer at some stage in their lives. Cancer Research UK hopes to improve survival rates, ensuring that more families stay together for longer."

Hiral was sponsored by her family and her friends at Little Lever School Specialist Language College.

To find out more about Cancer Research UK visit www.cancerresearchuk.org or call the Manchester Fundraising Office on 0161 772 5555.