A brave 65-year-old woman who is due to have an operation for a rare medical condition will face the scissors in a hospital fundraiser.

Celia Hughes, who has lived in Whitchurch Canonicorum all her life, will undertake a sponsored head shave on August 20 in a bid to raise money for Southampton Hospital.

Celia suffers from a rare medical condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus, more commonly referred to as a build-up of fluid on the brain.

The excess fluid puts pressure on the brain which can damage it, resulting in headaches, sickness, blurred vision and difficulty walking.

Celia told The News: “I’ve been suffering from fluid on the brain for more than a year and on August 28 I will be having a head shunt operation at Southampton Hospital.

“I can’t run anywhere and can’t jump out of the plane so thought a head shave would be the next best thing to do, because I will have to have some of my hair shaved for the operation anyway.”

Fluid on the brain can usually be treated using a piece of equipment known as a shunt – a thin tube that’s surgically implanted in the brain and drains away the excess fluid.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus usually only affects people over 50 years old.

It can sometimes develop after an injury or a stroke, but in most cases the cause is unknown.

The average age of people with the condition is 75, although it is a rare condition.

In 2009 to 2010, there were less than 1,000 recorded cases in England. However, the true number may be higher.

Celia added: “The hospital has been just brilliant to me so far and I wanted to do something to say thank you and give something back.

“Friends have been very supportive so far and I want to raise as much as I can for the hospital – any extra help I can get will be marvellous.”

Celia’s head shave will take place at the Clockhouse Inn in Chideock on August 20.

To donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/celiahughes