An inspirational Catrine youngster has chopped her hair and raised more than £1,000 for charity along the way.

Gracie Lyle came up with the idea of cutting off 12 inches of hair and donating it to the Little Princess Trust when discussing her back-to-school haircut with mum, Tracy.

The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or to other conditions such as alopecia.

Gracie was surrounded by friends and family before cutting her hair.Gracie was surrounded by friends and family before cutting her hair. (Image: NQ Archive)

The charity would accept seven inches of hair to make the wigs, but five-year-old Gracie was determined to go for the full foot-long.

Mum Tracy said: "Me, her dad and her brothers are just so proud of her for doing this.

"She's been champing at the bit to get it done and there was never a point when she didn't want to go ahead with it.

"She kept saying to me 'are you proud of me?' and it made me emotional because I couldn't be any more proud of what she's done.

"For her to to think of something like this at her age and realise what good can come from it and how it would help has been astonishing."

Claire Ritchie cutting Gracie's hair.Claire Ritchie cutting Gracie's hair. (Image: NQ Archive)

Having only had one proper haircut since she was born, which was before she even started nursery, Gracie is now set to start primary two with a brand new look, while helping out a wonderful cause.

As well as donating her hair to the charity, Gracie also set a target of raising £750, which she has surpassed, raising around £1,200.

Support has come from all directions, with local businesses offering juice and sandwiches for the day of the haircut, as well as some offering to donate prizes to be raffled off and put towards the total.

Sally, Barry and Louise from Auchinleck Tesco handing over a donation to Gracie with mum, Tracy and dad, Steven.Sally, Barry and Louise from Auchinleck Tesco handing over a donation to Gracie with mum, Tracy and dad, Steven. (Image: NQ Archive)

Tracy added: "The backing we've had has blown us away a wee bit.

"The Cotton Trail gave us wee bites to eat and some juice for the day, we got gift donations to be raffled from Sam's Soaps and Totally Tanned, and Claire Ritchie from Hair by Claire did an amazing job cutting Gracie's hair.

"Tesco in Auchinleck has donated £200 as well which is just incredible.

"Gracie has totally got her own mind and when she said she wanted to do this, she really stuck to it and she's delighted she has done it and we can't thank everyone enough who has supported us and even just sent us a wee message during it".

Gracie's fundraising page will remain open for the next few weeks, while other donations are gathered up.

You can still support her efforts online.