A six-year-old girl will be cutting off her lovely locks today in memory of her friend's baby sister who died of a rare disease.

Isabelle Alldis, who lives in Borehamwood, will have 12 inches shorn from her hair at Sharkies Cuts for Kids in Watling Street in Radlett.

In 2012, her best friend Holly Lewis lost her 14-month-old sister Anna to Alpers’, a rare and incurable genetic disease that affects babies and young children and leads to dementia, seizures, liver disease and death.

The money Isabelle raises will go to the Anna Lewis Brighter Future Fund, set up by Anna’s mother Jess to raise money to help researchers at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital find a cure.

In addition, the hair will be donated to The Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs from real hair for children suffering from cancer.

Her mother Laura said the sponsored hair cutting was Isabelle’s own idea.

She said: “Isabelle's best friend’s baby sister was fine at nine months, caught a cold and died ten weeks later.

“It was a tragedy for the family and has affected Isabelle, too.

“The family have already raised over £100,000 and have pledged to raise over £250,000 for research into the area. Isabelle wants to do her bit to raise money and awareness of Alpers’ Disease.”

To sponsor Isabelle, visit www.justgiving.com/isabellecutsherhairforanna