A SUPERMARKET worker has lost her long hair to support a colleague who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Heather Ellis, 52, of East Cowton, near Northallerton, has not had short hair since she was a baby. That changed last week when the customer service assistant from Tesco in Catterick Garrison was given a number one grade haircut.

As well as raising funds for the breast cancer unit at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital, the cut was a gesture of support to her colleague, Linda Pearson, who was diagnosed with the disease.

Mrs Ellis said: "When Linda was diagnosed, I said if she lost her hair I would lose mine as well.

"I've had long hair ever since I was a little girl - it's never been shorter than my shoulders.

"I'm sure it's going to feel strange for a while but it's all in a good cause."

Mrs Pearson, 45, of Richmond, was diagnosed with breast cancer in November and had a mastectomy in December. She lost her hair soon after starting a course of chemotherapy.

She said: "From the beginning, Heather said she would shave it off, but I can't believe she's gone through with it."

"We did think she would look scary but actually it makes her face look really soft."