THERE are not many hairdressers brave enough to allow their boyfriends loose with a pair of clippers on their head but Alice Sadd-Nejad did just that all in the name of charity.

Miss Sadd-Nejad, 24, thought she might raise £300 by braving the shave for Macmillan but her total has now gone well over £1,000 after not just partner Tom Thynne did the clipping but also other friends and family.

People gathered in the skittle alley of The Green Dragon at Market Lavington, near Devizes, last week to see Miss Sadd-Nejad have her long locks cut off.

She said: "My hair has always been a part of my image, a part of me and an advert for my job. Whether my hair is blonde or brunette, red or blue or even short or long, my hair has been who I am and what I’m recognized by.

"I’m forever surprising people with colour and cut changes to the point where people are waiting to see what I’m going to try out next so I decided to break the mould, break the chain and make a difference with my appearance."

She said she chose Macmillan Cancer Support as it helps not just those suffering from the disease but also friends and family. She said: "I feel it’s a charity where you can actually see the difference your money will make."

She thanked the landlords of the pub for providing a venue for free and everyone who has supported her. She said: "I was hoping to raise at least £300 for the charity but I actually managed to raise £225 online and £945 offline so far with people still wanting to donate to me. I’m so thankful for the generosity of friends, family and local people that have helped me beat my target and get an amazing amount of money for such a good cause.

"I braved the shave for all those who have lost their battle, those who are fighting their battle and those who will win their battle."

She is pleased with her new look even though she is finding it a bit chilly.

Money was also raised at a cake sale on the evening and people paid £1 to cut sections of her hair. She said her mum Melanie Nejad had a go and then Mr Thynne took the clippers to finish the job with a grade one.

She said: "I’m so grateful to the local businesses who donated goodies and vouchers towards my raffle. And to Steve and Nicky at The Green Dragon for letting me use their skittle alley for free."

She had donations from: The Co-op – Market Lavington, The Post office – Market Lavington, The Inner Yard – Urchfront/Lydeway, The Bay Tree – Devizes, The Emporium, Devizes, St Arbucks - café, The Blossom Tree - florist, R Douse & son – butchers, Planks farm shop, Mipo – café, Kate's Fitness Group, Go Get Groomed and Savage Beauty.

She said: "I would like to give a special thanks to Lucy's Hair Boutique for donating texturising GHDs worth £90 and to Grant UK for donating a voucher for four people to use Bowood golf course."