HER long tresses were her trademark but 17-year-old Karen Wonnacott has taken the plunge and had her flowing locks cut to boost a charity close to her heart.
It took hairdresser Sandra Saunders just a few minutes to cut 27 inches from the brunette Okehampton College student's head at the Junction Inn at Halwill last Thursday.
Karen, who cannot remember a time when she was unable sit on her hair, decided to go for it to raise money for the National Asthma campaign. Her grandmother died from the condition and her grandfather is suffering from it.
'I wanted to do something to help the charity and because my hair is so long I thought cutting it was quite a dramatic thing to do,' she said.
'Somebody offered me money not to have it cut and my mum is gutted but my hair is so time-consuming — it takes me an hour each day to look after it.'
Karen said that in the past she would never have her hair cut but she really likes her new shoulder-length style.
'It's great and I've raised £400 so it was definitely worth having it cut,' she added. 'Everyone is getting used to it and likes it but it will take mum a bit longer to come round.'
Karen now plans to sell her hair for wig making and hair extensions to raise more money for the National Asthma Campaign.