A LITTLE girl from Poole has raised over £2,500 for charity by having 12-inches of her hair chopped off.

Bella Manton-Kelly, six, who lives in Poole old town, underwent the makeover at Santander in the high street while family and members of the public looked on.

The aim was to raise awareness and funds for The Little Princess Trust, which makes real hair wigs for children who have lost their own hair following cancer treatment.

Her proud mum, Danielle, said: "She donated over 12-inches of hair and has been fundraising since May by making video entries, fundraising around our town and holding a bake sale.

"I think she has gone over £2,500 and her initial target was £750. She had seen stuff on the news and decided when she was four that she wanted to do it, but we wanted to wait until she was a bit older.

"She said that she wanted to help children and she thought that this was the only way that she could do that as she's only little."

Bella also held a bake sale before the hair cut, which raised £750, which Santander have said they will match fund.

Danielle said that a huge number of companies in Poole had supported Bella's efforts including Soraya Burrows from The Hair Cafe who cut the little girl's hair for her to donate.

She added: "Bella's uncle, Luke Cameron, created The Good Deed Diary where he did a good deed every day for a year. Bella has been so inspired by this that she has been thinking of new good deeds to do each day ever since.

"She often bakes cakes and sweets for people in the community, helps look after her little sister, Connie, and helps make people smile however she can. For a six year old, she has a very wise and kind heart and we are beyond proud of the things she has already achieved."

Danielle said that from July, Bella will be fundraising for another charity which builds universally accessible parks and play areas for disabled children.

"She has decided that she wants to be a real life super hero and help the world however she can, so chooses to spend her free time helping lots of different charities throughout each year."