THREE Cockermouth siblings have made it into the international finals of a beauty pageant.

And one of them has risen to the challenge of fundraising by having her head shaved.

Robyn Alexander, 15, and her sister Georgie, 13, and brother Christopher, 11, will all travel to Spain next year for the grand finals of the Belle Pageant. They each won their UK age group heats.

While you would imagine there was lots to be done before appearing in a beauty pageant that does not usually include shaving your hair off! But Robyn thought it would be a great way to raise charity funds and she was absolutely right - her close shave raised more than £1,000.

In order to encourage her, mum Melissa had said if she reached a certain amount she would also chop off her locks. So she also ended up going under the scissors, supported by neighbour Janet Sheriff.

The trio will donate their hair to cancer charity the Little Princess Trust.

Part of the pageant process involves raising money for charity. The Alexanders, all pupils at Cockermouth School, have risen to the fundraising challenge and raised more than £2,700 for the Sick Children Trust and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

They have done a sponsored abseil, bag packing, run stalls, tombolas and their own pageant.

They also held a fun day at the fire station in Cockermouth. It was here that Robyn had her head shaved.

"I'm bald now but I like it!" said Robyn.

"People didn't believe I'd do it. It was scary getting it done but also exciting and I've raised lots of money.

"Mum went for a bob."

Mum Melissa is delighted that her children have all made it through to the international finals.

"They enjoy pageants and they have helped them grow in confidence. They have met people from all over the country and are looking forward to the finals," she said.