The grand surroundings of the Mansion House's state room became the backdrop for a York councillor to do a very brave thing for an even braver young boy.

Coun Simon Tarry, Liberal Democrat representative for the Clifton Without ward, had his head shaved to show solidarity with his 13-year-old son, Oliver, who lost all his hair during treatment for bone cancer.

He also raised more than £800 for the Candlelighters children's cancer charity.

Oliver, a pupil of Canon Lee School, was diagnosed with the disease on December 15, and will have his third session of chemotherapy this week.

Coun Tarry said: "I got the idea soon after Oliver was diagnosed with bone cancer because the chemo meant Oliver would lose his hair. I decided that if he was losing his I'd lose mine too, and raise some money for Candlelighters in the process."

As Coun Tarry was shorn by Lisa Steuer, manager of the York branch of Toni & Guy hairdressers, an ever-growing crowd of onlookers, including family, fellow councillors and the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Shan Braund, made comments.

And Oliver, who beforehand had pointed to his dad's bald patch as if to suggest there wasn't much hair to lose in the first place, gave his dad's new look the thumbs up afterwards. "I like it," he said.

Oliver, who is being treated at St James's Hospital, Leeds, is doing well and after his chemotherapy this week, will hopefully undergo stem cell therapy.

Coun Tarry said he would like to thank Toni & Guy, Coun Braund, and Sue and Paul, licensees of the White Horse pub in Oakington, near Cambridge, who raised £200 in a night for the charity.

He said: "I'd also like to thank anyone else who supported us."

Updated: 15:17 Monday, February 05, 2001