PLUCKY Esra Ruso went under the scissors to shear off her long, luscious locks, to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The 25-year-old, from Lawns, is trying to raise £5,400 with her boyfriend, Steve Taylor, in sponsorship so they can walk the Great Wall of China for the Alzheimer’s Society in October.

Esra, who met Steve while working in the Risk Department at Nationwide, has always loved her waist-length hair, but she had it shorn off to raise money for the charity trip.

"I was nervous beforehand but I feel better now I have had it done," she said. "I was a it emotional beforehand, just because I've always had long hair and I love my hair, so it was a massive thing for me.

"I had the length taken off at Aqua G Salon in the Brunel Centre and then I went to Changes in Old Town where they styled it. They were fantastic. They did it for free too, they didn't charge me anything, so all the money raised will go to charity.

"It's not completely gone, it's like a short bob, a bit like Frankie from The Saturday's hairstyle."

While sponsorship will go directly to the Alzhimer's Society, Esra's hair will also be donated to the Little Princess Trust, which provides real hair wigs for boys and girls who have lost their hair through cancer or treatment.

Esra said: "Because my hair is so long I thought I'd donate it to the little princess Trust. They are such a good charity too and a really good cause to support.

"They need donations to be at least seven inches, and I think mine was 15."

Steve and Esra decided they wanted to raise money for the charity after Esra's grandfather and Steve's grandmother were both diagnosed with the condition.

Esra said: "We just thought it was a great way to raise money for the charity.

"It's a disease that needs a lot more research and it's very difficult for families to live with. You just know they aren't going to get better.

"I think it's particularly hard for my nan because she cares for my grandad and it's horrible for her to watch it happen.

"We've been raising money for the Alzheimer's Society since January 2014 and we are getting close now, I think our total is £4,500.

"The sponsorship for the headshave really gave us a boos though, I think it was around £1,000 for that. I can't believe the support I've had, I just want to say a big thank you to everybody who donated."

To show your support and sponsor the couple, you can donate online through www.justgiving.com/EsandSteve.