YOGA teacher Cathy Welch is celebrating completing a charity challenge which not only helped two good causes but left her looking younger.

Mrs Welch, 58, who lives in Bromham, near Devizes had her long locks cut to be made into a wig by the Little Princess Trust and to raise cash for Wiltshire Portage where she works.

She said: "I was dreading the haircut mainly because I was worried I would look very grey and old. However I was pleasantly surprised to see I still have a bit of natural colour and if anything I think I look younger. It’s almost like a relief. I feel lighter and freer.

"After growing my hair for a couple of years I decided to have it cut off firstly to send to the Little Princess Trust to be made into a wig for children who’ve had cancer and secondly to raise money for Wiltshire Portage. It is a home visiting educational charity based in Chippenham and supporting families of pre-school children with disabilities and additional difficulties across the county.

"It is a unique child-centred learning approach, free to the family and offered on a weekly basis where appropriate."

Mrs Welch, who teaches pregnancy yoga and mum and baby yoga also works for the charity part-time.

Her hair was cut at El Pradas in Chippenham and so far has raised £500. She said: "I was quite apprehensive beforehand as I knew it needed to be cut very short to meet the minimum of 12 inches needed by the Little Princess Trust.

"I needn’t have worried, we laughed a lot during the cut and I’m delighted with the end result."

To boost her fundraising go to mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/cathywelch1