A YOUNG girl with a heart of gold has donated her hair to children with cancer.

Raelle Johnson, from Winsford, gave her locks to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real hair wigs to children who lose their hair through cancer treatment or other illnesses.

The eight-year-old is a pupil at Whitegate CE Primary School.

Her mum Joanne said: "It was Raelle's idea. She just asked me one day: 'Can I have all my hair cut off to help poorly children?'

"I was so proud of her."

Raelle made up her mind to lose her long hair on the spur of the moment.

"She just asked my mobile hairdresser if she could do it," said Joanne. "She wasn't due for a hair cut but had it cut into a bob. She really loves her new style and is very happy."

Raelle, who has a sister Lili Anne, four, and brother Zack, 10, loves crafts and sewing.

For a birthday treat next month she is looking forward to a sewing workshop at Hopley House in Middlewich in which mums and daughters will learn how to make little girls' dresses to send to countries where children need clothes.

"She's got a heart of gold," added Joanne. "Raelle is extremely shy but when a new pupil joined their school she was the first child to go up to her at lunchtime and sit with her.

"She wants to be a midwife when she is older."