A young girl from Cowling will sacrifice her long hair to help a family friend who is fighting cancer.

Six-year-old Ellie Crawford, of Gibb Street, is to lose her hair at an event in Cross Hills later this month.

Her hair will be made into a wig for eight-year-old Glusburn youngster, Tyler Manley.

Like Ellie, Tyler goes to Glusburn Community Primary School, but has been off school since September recovering from an operation in which she had a tumour removed from her brain.

Commenting on Ellie’s planned haircut, Glusburn headteacher Richard Hunt said: “I think this is a fantastic gesture in support of one of her schoolmates. It shows what kind and caring children we have at Glusburn Primary.”

Ellie will have her hair cut on December 21 at the Cross Hills Co-op, which is where her grandmother works. The day will also include a raffle.

Ellie’s mum, Leanne Crawford, 32, said the gesture had extra significance for her family as her own mother died of cancer three years ago.

She said: “My mum lost all of her hair and she wore an NHS wig which she found very itchy and uncomfortable. It’s very expensive to have a wig made from real human hair.

“Ellie has beautiful, long blonde hair with ringlets, but she’d decided that she wanted it cut as it’s quite thick and heavy and takes a long time to dry. She says she also wants to look like a big girl now!

“She’s really looking forward to the haircut, she can’t wait. We both decided it would be a good thing to donate the hair to Tyler, who is blonde as well.

“I think what Ellie is doing is absolutely wonderful. I know my mum would think the same – she’d be very proud of her.”