Wandsworth schoolgirl Teddy Bascombe was given a celebrity haircut - by a Coronation Street star.

Rula Lenska, who plays hairdresser Claudia Colby, got to work with the scissors in real life – chopping off her goddaughter’s flowing blonde locks to launch a fundraising initiative.

Teddy decided to sacrifice 17 inches of her hair after losing her grandmother and aunt to pancreatic cancer and seeing another aunt, Kate Marlar, survive breast cancer.

And Rula was the perfect choice to do the haircut.

Wandsworth Times:

Rula said: “Teddy and I have always had a special bond. I was there when she was born and was the first face she saw when she came into the world.

“Teddy and the other girls here today have done something very, very special, chopping off their hair to help other children and raising lots of money for Cancer Research UK.”

Rula and Teddy were part of the Cancer Cut-a-thon Challenge, organised by Kate.

Kate, 56, from Surrey, was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and after losing her hair during treatment, came up with the idea of a Cut-a-thon, where anyone with long hair could get sponsored to get their hair cut, with money going to Cancer Research UK and the hair to the Little Princess Trust.

Wandsworth Times:

Teddy added: “I never got to meet my grandmother because she died of pancreatic cancer.

"My aunt Kate recovered from breast cancer which is absolutely amazing.

"It’s important to raise money for more research and it’s great that we can also help other children who lose their hair through cancer.”

Kate's ambition is to make Cut-a-thon an annual nationwide event.

She said: “If a sporting challenge is not for you, this is a great fundraising alternative. We’re planning a series of Cut-a-thon events so we’d love people to get in touch and find out about organising Cut-a-thons of their own."