IT will be hair today gone tomorrow for a plucky Ludlow optician as she waves goodbye to her long blonde locks next Wednesday to raise funds for charity.

Nicola Aubrey, optometrist and store director at Specsavers in Ludlow, will be undergoing the chop, courtesy of local hair salon No 10 Hair, to raise funds for Hope House Children’s hospice and Brain Tumour Research, with the hair being donated to a third charity - the Little Princess Trust.

The team at the store have been busy supporting the two causes over the recent months, already raising more than £400, and are now looking for sponsors to come forward to help boost this total further. They are also happy for other members of the community who want to join Nicola on the day by having their hair cut or heads shaved for charity.

"These two charities are very close to our hearts, so we pledged to raise £5k in total by the end of August," says Nicola.

"I’ve had long hair for a while now, so I’m sure it will feel very different when I lose the 12 inches they’ll cut off but I know it will be worth it especially if lots of people come forward and sponsor me – please!"

For more information, to sponsor Nicola or make a donation pop into Specsavers at 33 Bull Ring, Ludlow, call 01584 871 210 or visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/ludlow