A POPULAR television personality has lent her support to a local charity by fronting its new promotional video.

The short film answers frequently- asked questions on the role of the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs and hair pieces to children who have suffered hair loss through cancer treatment.

It is introduced by former Top of the Pops presenter Gail Porter, an ambassador for the charity. She lost her hair through alopecia in her mid- 30s.

Gail introduces the story of Melissa Dyer, which follows the 14-year-old through her association with the trust, from shortly after diagnosis through to her picking up her specially-made wig.

“We feel very grateful to the Trust and we think we owe them big things,” said Melissa’s dad, Andy Dyer.

The family, from Bristol, was told in March that a fleshy lump inside Melissa’s mouth was cancerous which led to rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The associated hair loss was a worry to the teenager but they were soon put in touch with the trust thanks to a CLIC Sargent nurse.

The film shows the family at Optima hair specialists in Birmingham where she picked up the finished wig.

“It was quite emotional and we were amazed with the hair as it was exactly as we remembered,” said Andy.

“Claire Forrester (the stylist) was fantastic, as was the boss Pete Murtha.”

“I think Melissa was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. It’s really made a massive difference to the way she feels about herself.”

Andy says the family now doesn’t consider it as a wig as they have become so used to it.

Melissa is currently waiting to undergo her ninth and final round of chemotherapy before she is hopefully given the all clear.

“We’re all keeping our fingers crossed,” added Andy.

The video can be viewed at littleprincesses .org.uk.