AS political columnist for one of Britain’s leading newspapers, Quentin Letts is used to regaling milions of readers with tales of MPs’ squabbles.

But away from life with the Daily Mail, the popular hack is a staunch supporter of a tiny Herefordshire charity looking to spread its own national message.

Quentin is an honorary vice-president of the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs and hair pieces to children who have suffered hair loss through cancer treatment.

“The trust is a charity that the people of Herefordshire can really feel proud of,” said Quentin, who lives in How Caple.

“I have two daughters who, thankfully, are healthy.

“But I’ve learnt from them that beauty is terribly important to young girls and so anything to alleviate the pain of hair loss for youngsters can only be good.”

He says he was only too pleased when asked to be associated with the Trust and is full of admiration for its founders.

“The charity is fantastic and has come a long way since being established by Simon and Wendy Tarplee.”

The Tarplees’ young daughter Hannah died of cancer at the age of just five.

“I think it has proved so popular because it unites people in our desire to help fight this wretched cancer,”

said Quentin.

A large part of Quentin’s column inches have been taken up in recent months with the furore over MPs’ expenses.

“I think it incensed people the way MPs went cavorting around wasting taxpayers’ money. Charities such as the trust could have found a much better home for that money.”

And despite the downturn, he urged county residents to back the Hereford Times campaign to help the Trust raise £130,000 to create a local store of wigs.

Quentin will be speaking to Ross-on-Wye Rotary Club on September 7 at 7pm. Tickets, priced at £10, and further information are available from Philip Dazeley on 01989 567810.

■ Meanwhile, Ross resident Clare Ormiston has donated her hair to the trust as part of her 40th birthday celebrations.

She raised £330 during the cut which took place on May Hill, just over the Gloucestershire border.

Clare said she wanted to mark her birthday in some way but didn’t want gifts, so asked people to donate to the charity instead.