DOMINIQUE Richardson shocked colleagues when she decided to go for the chop to raise money for charity.

Dominique, a senior housekeeping manager at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, raised £1,000 for the Sue Ryder Care Home in Nettlebed, the hotel's charity of the year.

Dominique's colleague Della Fanning, hotel manager, said: "It is so unlike Dominique to do anything this drastic, she is very brave."

The room fell silent as reception, housekeeping and bar staff watched bar manager Audrius Simkus shave Dominique's locks off at the hotel earlier this month.

The next day Dominique, who has worked at the hotel for four years, left for a three month sabbatical in South Africa to take care of her sick mother.

Della said: "Dominique has always wanted to do something for charity and she was just waiting for the right time.

"By the time she comes back her hair will have started growing back again and won't be so shocking for the guests.

"She felt it was a fitting gesture because the charity helps a lot of terminally ill patients with cancer who often lose their hair.

"I know it is only hair but I don't think any of us could have shaved our hair off.

"We are very proud of her. "