NINA Stickley had her glossy brown locks shaved off to show solidarity with cancer victims.

The 24-year-old, from Tower Hill, Witney, said she was inspired to raise money after a colleague at work was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The shave, which raised £1,500 for charity Breast Cancer Care, took place in Marriotts Walk Shopping Centre in Witney on Saturday.

Miss Stickley, who works at Dorothy Perkins, admitted that she was worried beforehand but said the experience had been worth it.

She said: “It went really well and there was such a good turn out.

“We had so many people come up and support me.

“One of the ladies we worked with had breast cancer and went through chemotherapy.

“We are really close and it was hard seeing her go through it, losing her hair and everything.

“It made me want to help out. Every little helps.”

Last year, she raised £600 by bungee jumping but wanted to beat it this year. The £1,500 was donated by Dorothy Perkins’ customers.

Miss Stickley said: “It was amazing. I really just expected about £500 because it was only a local thing.

“I just think, for a girl, shaving your hair is a big thing, and so many people are touched by cancer in their lives that everyone relates to it.”

But she said she was a bit worried about the shave before it happened. She said: “I did cry to my manager the night before, but I did not want to back out. I would never have backed out.”

She added: “It is fine now, but it is a little bit cold on the top of my head and my mum was a little bit shocked. But everyone seems to think it suits me.”

But she said she will be growing her hair back.

“I miss my hair already, but it does mean an extra half an hour in bed,” she added.