A BIG-HEARTED youngster had her ponytail snipped off to make wigs for children who lose their hair during battles with illness.

Nine-year-old Ebonie Penfold had 18 inches of her hair cut in front of all pupils and staff at Broomgrove Junior School in Wivenhoe during a class assembly.

Year Five pupil Ebonie has so far raised more than £500 for the Little Princess Trust, and will also be donating the hair she had cut off.

Ebonie is still collecting the money raised from classmates but is delighted to have so much to handover already She said: “I had needed my hair cut for a while and my mum said I should donate it rather than just throwing it away.

“It all went from there and we set up a donation page for the charity and a pack through the post giving us more information.

“I took my donation box around all the classes and my family and friends.

“I am quite happy with how it looks but I was kind of nervous because I did it during the assembly.”

Year Five class teacher Julia Homewood said: “As a school we are very proud of her and she is a real role model for the other children.”