More than £450 has been raised so far from a Trowbridge head shave for the children’s charity Young Lives vs Cancer which makes wigs from donated hair.

The tenants of the Kings Arms at Hilperton braved the shave to raise funds for the national charity after asking customers to sponsor them.

Richard Webb and regular customer Adie Petts both had their heads shaved while pub landlady Sheila Smith had her 12-inch pony tail cut off.

The event took place on Friday, September 27 at the Wyke Road pub and by Sunday Sheila had called in a mobile hairdresser to tidy up her shorn locks.

Richard said: “My nephew Max Townsend, 11, cut my hair and my niece Grace Townsend, 14, was cutting Sheila’s hair but she was struggling with it so I gave her a hand.

Publican Shelia Smith donates her long ponytail for Young Lives vs Cancer with support of customer Ade Petts (left ) and landlord Richard Webb. Publican Shelia Smith donates her long ponytail for Young Lives vs Cancer with support of customer Ade Petts (left ) and landlord Richard Webb. (Image: Trevor Porter)

“It’s all a bit of fun but Sheila wasn’t happy with what I had done so she called in a hairdresser to tidy it up on Sunday. I think she’s happy with it now.”

Sheila added: “I made him pay £25 for the hairdresser. It’s nicer now that it has got some shape in it.

“My hair was down to the middle of my back. Usually, I keep it long so I can tie it in a ponytail and keep it out of my face.

“I have always had long hair and because of the weight of it usually hangs straight, but after what Grace and Richard had done it ended up going curly.

“It will eventually grow back so it’s not an issue.”

The pair were supported by regular customer Adie Petts, 59, who lives in nearby Navigator Close.

He said: “It was an experience. One of the reasons why I did it is because there have been people that I know who have had different forms of cancer.

“Some of them have got through it and some of them have not.

“I was going to get my hair cut because it was getting quite long and bushy and I volunteered to have it shaved after someone else dropped out.”

Their hair will be sent to Young Lives vs Cancer to be made into wigs for children who lose their own hair during chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments for cancer.

The charity helps children and young people aged 0-25 and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.