VA senior leader at Whitefield Jewish Youth Centre is to lop off the shoulder-length hair he has long been cultivating to raise money for cancer victims.

Eighteen-year-old Dan Kay - who was suspended three times during his Manchester King David High days over the length of his hair - says his parents finally convinced him to have it cut.

"Everyone hates my hair," he said. "My parents asked: If we can raise £1,000 and donate it to charity, would I cut it off?"

To date, Dan has been promised £600 but is looking for the full amount before he will submit to the scissors. The money will go to Manchester's Christie Hospital.

Christie patients will also benefit from the proceeds of a lunch on Tuesday in aid of the League of Jewish Women's Headstart initiative, providing stylish low-cost head coverings for cancer sufferers who lose their hair.

The lunch was held at the Whitefield home of Avril Manson in memory of Marlene Gould - a Headstart founder - who died of cancer earlier this year.

The location was poignant as the property had formerly belonged to Mrs Gould.

Christie plans to open a Headstart parlour.