NATCHEZ &045; Brittany Finley looked like a deer caught in the headlights on Thursday as 11 inches of her hair was cut off to be donated to the Locks of Love program.

The 9-year-old’s parents, Michelle and Reggie Roberts, stood close by at The Stylists salon as owner and hairdresser Bill Hinson prepared for the dramatic event.

Brittany’s face reflected nothing but pure fear as Hinson gathered her long, brown hair into a ponytail that measures 11 inches in length and began to cut.

Hinson handed the ponytail to Finley, and she held it up proudly to show her parents.

&uot;You’ve been working hard for that,&uot; Reggie said.

As Brittany looked in the mirror at the wet hair clinging to her neck she said she &uot;felt funny&uot; having all that hair cut off.

Hinson discussed a new style with Brittany, and they decided on a bob she could show off to her friends at school today.

Mrs. Roberts said Brittany, a student at Adams County Christian School, decided to donate her hair after watching a talk show on which three guests discussed donating their hair to cancer patients.

Brittany was upset after watching the show &045; and so she decided to grow her hair to donate, her mother said.

Mrs. Roberts supported Brittany’s decision and found the Web site for Locks of Love at www.locksoflove.com. At the website Mrs. Roberts found the hair donations guidelines and a printable form to mail with the donation.

Brittany has been growing her hair for about 14 months to get her hair to the minimum required donation length of 10 inches.

Summertime was a battle as Brittany went swimming and had the inevitable tangles.

Even though Brittany was scared in the barber’s chair, she said she wants to grow her hair again to donate.

Hinson, who has owned The Stylist in Natchez for about a year, and throughout Natchez for 28 years, has cut about four others’ hair for donation.

&uot;I think the good Lord is going to bless this girl,&uot; Hinson said.