BEAUTY therapist Dawn Holland braved the shave to raise £1,500 for Macmillan Nurses.

Ms Holland, 40, from Seend who runs her own own salon and prides herself on keeping her hair and make-up immaculate, went out of her comfort zone to do her bit for the charity.

But she thinks the sacrifice of her locks was worthwhile. She said: "It was mainly my family that came to support me and one of my closest friends. A few glasses of bubbles were had to raise a glass to Macmillan Nurses and all their support. I still have donations coming in but it is around £1,500 in total"

Her online total is £1,200 but Jacqui Lyons from Bliss Hair and Beauty in Devizes has also received donations. Ms Lyons wielded the clippers to do the honours for her friend at the Bliss salon.

Among those looking on were Ms Holland's nephew Connor, six, and niece Milla, four. She said: "Connor was slightly freaked out by my appearance whereas Milla wasn't fazed at all."

She said before the cut took place: "With my job as a beauty therapist I always have to look the part. So by shaving my head I am going out of my comfort zone.

"But I turned 40 this year and decided I needed to give something back in life. We have all been touched by cancer so it made sense to go with a charity such as Macmillan."

Customer at Bliss have been supportive of Ms Holland, who has run her own beauty and Bowen therapy business for 17 years. She said: "Having had a pretty healthy life so far I feel privileged for being so lucky.

"So it is time to give something back to help someone if I can. Shaving my hair off for those who need some who need some love and support is a huge thing, yet also a tiny drop in the ocean."