A woman who set herself the challenge of raising as much money for possible for a trio of charities has had her hair chopped off for the cause.

Diane Belton, 49, from St Mary’s Court, Thetford, now sports a smart crop after having her shoulder length hair cut.

She has raised more than �70 to date which will be divided equally between Macmillan Cancer Care, the British Heart Foundation and the Matthew Project.

Ms Belton, who has a heart murmur, has used the services of the Matthew Project and whose 85-year-old mother suffers with a brain tumour, was given the hair cut at Jazzy d’s hair salon on Tanner Street.

She said: “I know it’s not a lot of money but as they say, it’s the thought that counts.

“I’m really pleased with my hair - it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

I wanted it to be even shorter but the lady who cut it said it would be too short for winter.

“Reading between the lines I think she was trying to say it wouldn’t suit me.”

Ms Belton, who still has further sponsorship money to collect, has not ruled out fundraising again in future.