IT really was a case of "hair" today, gone tomorrow for the McGoern family.

Mother Karen McGoern and her parents Elizabeth and John had their hair cut for charity.

And cheering them on at The Victory Reform Club in Bolton were more than 100 friends and family.

First up was John, aged 63, who had his head and beard shaved, despite having grown it since October.

He was followed by his wife and then his daughter, Karen, aged 28, whose long hair was sheared off to raise much needed funds for the Royal Bolton Hospital's maternity unit and for The Bolton News' Garden of Tranquillity appeal.

Mum-of-five Karen, whose family live in the Lowndes Estate area of Bolton, said:"The money is in memory of two very special people. My daughter Siobhan was still born in 2005 and a special family friend, Daniel Corry, who died ten years ago of cancer and was cared for at Bolton Hospital."

She said: "Two years ago I had my hair cut when it was really long for charity. This time I decided to go all the way and have it all shaved off. It is for a good cause. I was excited before the hair cut and have no regrets now!"

But her partner of four years Kevin Kirwan, aged 36, said: "When I first met Karen, it was her hair that attracted me to her. I told her to do anything but have her head shaved. I even told I would give her more money not to have her hair cut off or do something else like a parachute jump "I could not watch as it was being cut, it was very emotional. But she is still gorgeous!"

Her children, Thomas, aged 14, Joshua, aged 11, Korina, aged nine, Aidan, aged four and even five-week-old Saoirse watched in support.

Her son Joshua said: "They are all mad!"

Mum Elizabeth said: "I always keep my hair very short and have been growing it for this event and it has been driving me crazy. So I couldn't wait. I love it.

"It was for such a good cause. The event was in memory and in celebration of Danny and Siobhan."

The Garden of Tranquillity appeal was launched by The Bolton News to raise £100,000 to transform the run down grounds at Bolton Hospice, which have not been renovated since the facility opened 14 years ago.

Under new plans, pathways will be built, providing disabled access, and there will be private seating areas where patients can spend time with friends and family.

There will also be the addition of a water feature and a sensory garden.

If you want to donate to the appeal, cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Bolton Hospice and sent to The Bolton News, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1DE, marked for the Garden of Tranquillity appeal.