The lavish gowns, tiaras, and a trip to the venue in a plush limousine are all part of the evening to remember.

But what about the cost of it all?



RICHARD MENNEAR caught up with two mothers who have spent hundreds of pounds on their daughters' special night.

"IT MADE me feel like a princess."

That's how Lucie Clark, 16, described one of the most special nights in her life.

We spoke to Lucie's mum Jayne Gallagher, 42, and fellow Hartlepool mum, Lynn Watson, 39, mum to Melissa Watson.

Each have spent more than £300 each on gear for their proms.

The pair had to fork out for prom dresses, prom tickets, new shoes, new bags, new jewellery, hair, make-up, nails – and of course the limousine ride to the venue.

Both girls are now former pupils of Brierton Community School in Hartlepool.

Their prom was held at the Ramside Hall Hotel, in Durham, in early July.

The youngsters, who have just finished their GCSE exams, were treated to a three course meal, dancing and a special awards ceremony.

Jayne lives in her Shelley Grove home with partner Stephen Clark, 42, who works in the steel industry and daughters, Lucie, sales assistant Amy Clark, 18, Beckie Clark, a High Tunstall pupil, 12 and ten-year-old son Alex Clark, a pupil at Kingsley primary school.

The prom is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the teenagers to get dressed up and celebrate the end of school with their friends.

And according to housewife Jayne it was money well spent.

Jayne, who spent more than £600 in total, said: "If you sat down and look at the overall cost it can be a bit staggering but if you spend as you go along it doesn't seem as bad.

"It is something that the kids will only do once in their life and to see them all dressed up is marvellous.

"It certainly makes a nice change from them wearing jeans and T-shirts all of the time. Lucie's friends all came back here for a party afterwards and the last one left at 9.30am the next day so they certainly had a good time."

It isn't the first time Jayne has had to splash the cash.

"We did it for Amy, we have done it for Lucie and we will have to do it for Beckie as well. At least Alex only needs a suit so he will be the cheapest to cater for.

"I do it because I love the kids and I want them to enjoy the prom night as much as the others do."

Lucie, who harbours ambitions of becoming a social worker, said dressing up to the nines for the night made her feel like "a princess".

The teenager, who hopes to start a child care course at Brinkburn's Hartlepool Sixth Form College, in September, said: "All my friends made a big effort too and they all looked stunning.

"I don't think I will be wearing my dress again however, I think I will just keep it for memories.

"The night itself was really good. We had a three course meal, dancing and an awards ceremony and then some more dancing."

Meanwhile, Lucie's friend, Melissa Watson, looked equally as glamorous.

The 15-year-old's mother Lynn Watson spent just over £300 transforming her daughter, who normally wears jeans, into a beauty queen for the night.

Single mum Lynn lives in Gloucester Street with Melissa and youngest daughter, Lauren Watson, 12, a pupil at High Tunstall Comprehensive School.

Lynn, who works in Betfred bookmakers in Hartlepool town centre, said: "I managed to get the dress off Ebay for around £100 from a seller in China so I managed to save a lot of money that way, I'd recommend others do the same.

"I think it is something you simply have to pay for because it wouldn't be fair for them to miss out.

"It is quite a new concept for me though as they don't have proms in Scotland," added Lynn, who originates from south Lanarkshire and moved to the town three years ago.

Lynn, who is divorced, added: "Melissa had an absolute ball and I was so proud to see her standing there in her prom dress.

"My youngest, Lauren, was so excited that she has already picked out the dress she wants to wear for her prom in a few years time.

"Melissa is not a girly girl at all so it was brilliant to see her all dressed up."

Melissa will be studying travel and tourism, psychology and art and design at Hartlepool Sixth Form College in September.

She travelled to the Ramside Hall Hotel in the same limousine as Lucie.
She said: "It was such a good night but it was quite weird to see everyone dressed up. It didn't stop us jumping around when the music came on later though.

"Everybody made a big effort and all the girls' looked like princesses in their prom dresses. I will keep the dress for memories but I'm not going to wear it again," added Melissa who wants to be an air hostess.

MELISSA WATSON'S PROM NIGHT:Limousine ride for 16 friends: £700 total cost – £43 each.
Dress: £100 from a seller in China via Ebay.
Shoes: £15.
Hair: £20 cut and £28 hair extensions.
Jewellery (including tiara, necklace and bracelet): £50.
Make-up: £10.
Nails: £20.
Prom Ticket: £20.
Total cost: £306

LUCIE CLARK'S PROM NIGHT:
Limousine ride for 16 friends: £700 total cost – £43 each.
Dress: From Gowns & Garters, in Stockton Road, £400.
Shoes: £30.
Hair: £15.
New bag: £10.
Jewellery (including necklace, bracelet and tiara): £50.
Make-up (including mascara and eye shadow): £20.
Nails: £25 in total.
Prom Ticket: £20.
Total cost: £613