THREE barmaids whose best friend has cancer are to shave off their hair in a show of solidarity - and to raise money for a cancer unit.

Jo-Anne Burrows, Bridie Martin and Ann Press have agreed to lose their locks at the hands of a local hairdresser.

Their best friend Ann Willet has been losing her hair since she started chemotherapy in December.

They want to carry out the stunt as she finishes the course of powerful pills - so they can all grow their hair back together.

The friends hatched the hair-brained plan over a drink at the Blackfield Langley Social Club.

Bridie, 53, said: "We came up with the idea as a way of showing our support for Ann and to celebrate the fact that she will be finishing her course of chemotherapy. It's also a good way of raising some much-needed money for the hospital.

But Jo-Ann Burrows, 36, is dreading losing her curly hair.

"I'll have to be very drunk before they do it - they'll have to pick me up to put me in the chair", she said.

"My children are not happy about it either. My nine-year-old daughter ran upstairs and cried her eyes out when I told her."

Brave Ann, 53, who hopes the chemotherapy will defeat the lung cancer, said: "I think they're brilliant and members of the club have been incredible."

The hair cutting will take place at 8pm at Blackfield Langley Social Club, Netley View Estate, Hythe. he girls have already notched up over £900 for the Royal South Hants hospital but are looking for more donations, contact Bobbie Brewster at the social club on 01703 846201.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.