Colleagues spared a regional daily journalist from losing her hair as she raised hundreds of pounds for charity.

Hayley Mills, content editor at the South Wales Argus, raised more than £300 in three days after pledging to cut her hair off in aid of Cancer Research UK if the idea gathered enough support.

Becky Jones, Hayley’s former housemate at Cardiff University, completed chemotherapy in February after being diagnosed with cancer last year, and Hayley wanted to show her friend she was willing to put her hair on the line for charity.

Colleagues and friends were asked to vote by donating to either ‘Team Chop Chop’ or ‘Team Save Mop’ between Tuesday and Thursday.

Hayley, before learning her fate on Thursday

The later received £218.50 in donations, compared to the former’s £93.72.

But, in an act of good sportsmanship, Hayley let Argus colleague Nathan Briant cut a couple of inches off the top anyway.

Said Hayley: “I turned it into a vote to add a bit of a twist and seeing as I’m a bridesmaid for a friend in October I knew it was going to be a little risky as it wouldn’t grow back in time.

“Not knowing my fate was horrible. I was fully prepared to have the full nine inches cut off and sport whatever my colleague created. I was convinced it was being chopped, so I was shocked that so many people put money in for it be saved.

“I think a few of my colleagues were disappointed with the result, so we decided to cut a couple of inches off just for fun.

“I would like to thank everyone for taking part. Raising over £300 in three days is truly amazing.”

Hayley and Becky are now planning to run a 10k race in July to raise further funds for the charity, and people can donate here.