MEET Malcolm and his magnificent money-spinning mop.

In just under a month, 14-year-old Malcolm Dutton will wave goodbye to the wild and woolly hairstyle he's been cultivating for a year, and it's all for a very good cause.

He will go under the shears as part of a charity race night to raise funds for Cancer Research, with the total hopefully running into several hundred pounds.

Malcolm, of Barnwood Crescent, always used to have his hair cropped short and it was his pals at West Craven High School who bet him a year ago that he wouldn't grow it long. As his curly locks sprouted ever longer, he realised when the time came to lose them he could use it to his advantage and raise money for a good cause.

From that idea evolved plans for a charity Race Night, to be held at the Rolls-Royce Leisure club, in Barnoldswick, on Friday February 7, with the first race set for 8pm. The highlight of the evening will see Malcolm lose his tousled mop as he goes under the clippers, not right down to the bare wood, but close enough to admire the grain.

The event will raise funds for Cancer Research, the charity chosen by Malcolm and his parents, Peter and Sheila Dutton. Malcolm's grandfather died of cancer and Sheila's colleague at Country Holidays, in Earby, was already involved in fundraising for the national charity. She and Sheila have organised the race night, with tickets selling well at £5 including a pie and peas supper.

More money is coming in sponsorship for Malcolm from family and school friends and his parents' colleagues at Country Holidays and Rolls-Royce.

Sheila said: "When he started growing his hair a year ago I thought he'd get fed up with it come summer, but he's stuck with it and it was his idea to raise money for charity. In the last couple of weeks he's started to say he be glad to get rid of it."

Malcolm also plays rugby league for the Keighley Cougars under-15s squad and has had to wear to skull cap to control his unruly hair while playing.

Anyone wanting tickets for the race night or to sponsor Malcolm can phone Sheila on 01282 843088 or Val Standage on 01282 843436.