A DALTON student had 20 inches of his hair chopped off – to help children with cancer.

Joe Mulkerrin, 18, had been growing his hair since he was at high school.

But he’s had 20 inches of it cut off to be transformed into a wig for a cancer patient.

Joe, a first-year history student at Bangor University, said that he was nervous about losing his long locks.

But hairdresser Louise Hunter was on hand to reassure him that his effort would be well received.

Joe said: “I last had my hair cut two years ago and even then it was only a trim.

“I’ve been growing it for more than four years. Before that I had a skinhead.”

Joe is a former pupil of All Saints Catholic College and Huddersfield New College.

He said: “My hair has been long for so long it feels strange not having it.

“But since a family friend told me about this cause the only way I was going to cut all my hair off was for it.”

His hair will go to the American Locks of Love organisation which will turn it into a wig for a cancer patient.

Joe added: “I think it’s a great idea to help someone who has lost their hair.

“Many people choose to wear a wig and I’m really glad that I can help”

It was the first time hairdresser Louise, owner of Hair by Louise on Wakefield Road, has cut 20 inches of hair off in one go – but she hopes more people will consider it.

She said: “I think it is a really great idea. More and more people seem to be affected by cancer so to help in this way is great and I’m sure it’s appreciated by so many people.”

Joe’s hair was washed, dried and straightened then measured – from root to tip it measured at 28 inches – they only need 10 inches of hair.

It was then tied tightly into a braid and then Louise had to cut through the top of the braid to cut the 20 inches of Joe’s hair off.

Afterwards Joe looked shocked but said it was worth it.

He added: “I can’t believe that is 20 inches of hair but I’m glad I did it.”

Joe’s hair will be sent to the Locks of Love charity in American – the only cause he knows of which collects hair for wigs – and be transformed into a new hair style.

Locks of Love is an organisation which provides hairpieces to children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis, including cancer.

Their aim is to return a sense of self, confidence to children suffering from hair loss by utilising donated hair to provide hair prosthetics.

Joe, who wants to be a museum curator when he graduates, will be told who his hair has gone to.