Singer Olly Murs has sent his support to an eight-year-old girl donated 14 inches of her hair to charity.

Laila Inaya Hunt had her half her locks cut off for the Little Princess Trust and raised more than £2,000 in just under month.

Olly Murs' video message

Grandad Mams Mirza, who is a sports physiotherapist at Basildon FC, bumped into The Voice judge after the club played Olly's home team in a game when he luckily walked into the players' changing rooms and told him of his grand-daughter's achievement.

The singer said in a surprise video message: "Hi Laila it's Olly Murs here darling. I have just been speaking to this lovely gentleman here, your grandad and he told me that you have raised some amazing money for the Little Princess Foundation so well done on all that money.

"You are an absolute star and well done. Amazing work you have done. That money is going to help change children's lives so well done. Incredible."

The singing superstar whose hits include Troublemaker, Dance With Me Tonight and Wrapped Up performed in the county at Hop Farm, Paddock Wood in September.

Laila undergoing the chop. Video: Creative Digital Playground

The schoolgirl's hair was 28-inches long before undergoing the transformation at FiftyEight Hair Studios, Gillingham.

Proud mum Safa Mirza said: "I loved her with long hair but to know what she has done it for and at such a young age, it is such a selfless act.

"I say it is start as you mean to go on in life; being kind. I am really proud of her."

Safa added Laila, of Summerson Close, Rochester, had spoken about donating her locks for many years prior to this and decided that this is what she wanted to do on her eighth birthday on September 20.

She continued: "Her family and friends are very, very proud of her decision and we would like to thank each person who has donated so far."

The charity provides real hair wigs from hair donations to children and young people who have lost theirs due to cancer treatments and other conditions.

For more information on donations visit the Little Princess Trust website.

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