A TEENAGER has presented a cheque for more than £1,300 to a cancer charity in the company of the toddler who inspired her to stage a sponsored head shave.

Sporting her cropped look, Alice Reid, 17, from Darlington, presented a cheque for £1,371 to Cancer Research UK yesterday.

Alice, who attends Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, organised the head shave after learning that her best friend's two-year-old niece, Katie Grant, had been diagnosed with cancer.

Katie had already had surgery to remove the brain tumour and was about to undergo chemotherapy when the A-level student was inspired to sacrifice her long, brown locks.

Alice said: "I knew that Katie's hair would fall out as a result of the chemotherapy treatment and so decided to have my long hair shaved off as well."

She took the brave step in front of friends and teachers at the school in October.

Alice said she had not missed her hair at all.

Katie, who is now losing her hair with the treatment, is too young to understand, but Alice said her friend Laura Rutherford was extremely grateful.

Lindsay Kay, who collected the cheque at the school on behalf of the charity, also thanked Alice for her fundraising efforts.

The presentation comes at the start of Children's Cancer Month.

Cancer Research UK is urging people to back its Little Star Appeal, raising money for research into the disease.

To make a donation to the appeal call (08701) 602040.