IT took him two years to grow and he had to face the indignity of people thinking he was a girl, but nine-year-old Josh Bain felt it was all worthwhile when he had his shoulder-length hair cut to raise £450 for the Little Princess Trust.

The Trust provides hair to make wigs for cancer-suffering children who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment which makes their hair fall out. Josh’s mum, Viki, and his six-year-old sister, Macey, also donated hair to the Trust.

Josh, who had grew his hair into three long plaits, wanted to do it in memory of his grandfather, Robert, who died of bowel cancer.

The haircut took place on stage in front of the pupils and teachers of Selborne Primary School during this month’s FOSStival. It was performed by Harriet Emma, of Hairworks in Grayshott, and she did it free of charge. Watching on was dad Andy and the family.

When the last of the hair fell, Josh received huge applause from the audience and on the day he raised £145 for the school’s charities and, through his Just Giving page, £450 for the Trust.

Josh, whose family lives in Alton, said he was very glad to get rid of his long hair.

“Too much brushing and I hated having it washed. Also, I didn’t like people thinking I was a girl,” he said.

“But I am very grateful to everyone who donated money to me and one of the biggest donations was £20 someone handed to me for the Trust.”

Although he is glad to have helped children less fortunate than himself, he laughed: “I won’t be doing it again.”