The hair-raising event was brought forward for medical reasons and battling mum-of-three Florence Cross has now thanked everyone who sponsored her.

She featured in the Mail last week describing how she was to get her head shaved to raise money for Hartlepool breast cancer support group the Pansies.

The single mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy in June, was due to have her locks shaved off at the Tony Gallagher salon at Navigation Point on August 27 and wanted people to sponsor her.

However, the date of the hair-raising experience was brought forward to Monday.

And the shave coincided with the brave Erskine Road resident's 52nd birthday.

Florence, who is mother to Kelly Darby, 31, Sam Woolhouse, 25, and 12-year-old Katie Cross, said: "It was emotional getting it cut off but okay.

"I have got a few bristles of hair left and will be wearing a bandana until I get my wig.

"The kids said it looks all right and is not as bad as they thought it would be. I loved my hair but I knew I was going to lose it anyway and it's all for a good cause.

"The staff at the salon were all singing Happy Birthday to me and the day went well."

Florence, who is on disability benefit, has already raised £273 for the Pansies, despite network problems with a mobile phone number previously printed in the Mail for people to sponsor her.

People can still sponsor the brave mum for the head shave event and anyone wanting to do so can contact Florence on the new number (07593) 398245 before August 31.