An eight-year-old schoolboy raised about �500 for charity by getting his hair cut off.

Aytan Cohen, a Year 4 pupil at Ilford Jewish Primary School, asked friends and family to sponsor him to get his locks chopped off for Little Princess Trust.

The charity provides real hair wigs to children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment.

Aytan has grown his hair for the past two years and had it cut during Chanukah in front of the whole school.

Deborah Harris, the Jewish studies co-ordinator at the school in Carlton Drive, Barkingside, said: “Everyone in the school is so proud of Aytan. One of the things we teach our children is the importance of thinking of others less fortunate and caring about others.”

“Aytan has made us feel very proud by doing this deed. It is an amazing thing.”