NANTWICH mother-of-five Denise Thorley had her long locks lopped off to raise money for cancer sufferers.

The music teacher hoped to raise £500 for the Christie Hospital in Manchester but has doubled that, thanks to support from family, friends and piano pupils.

She said: “It has been 10 years since I lost my beloved husband, Archie, so in his memory I decided to raise money for the hospital where staff were so kind to him through his illness.

“I’ve always had long hair and it was at the point where I could sit on it. I faced the scissors with trepidation but Gregory Roe hair salon in Nantwich offered to sponsor the cut and did a great job.

“I couldn’t face a completely shorn look but came away with a neat bob which I actually love and is much easier to keep.”

Support also came from friends in Audlem where Denise grew up as the daughter of the village station master.

She’s not the only one in her family to support the hospital. Her daughter Frederika, from Chester, did the equivalent of a triathlon a month for a year and raised a lot of money.

Denise, who teaches music from her home in Millstone Lane, is donating her cropped hair to wig-makers who specialise in designs for people undergoing chemotherapy.

She added: “My hair was my pride and joy for many years and now it’s nice to know it will be worn by someone in need.”

To support Denise’s effort go to https//www.justgiving.com/Denise-Thorley