TEENAGE pupils couldn't believe their eyes when they discovered swish designer gowns on sale at bargain prices!

Girls were invited to an exclusive prom dress evening at St Lukes Hospice furniture and fashion shop in Winsford.

Many of the stunning gowns on sale still had labels on yet were being sold at a snip of their full price.

Mums were offered free bucks fizz while girls tried on a range of new and pre-loved dresses.

Winsford mum Liz Oliver said her 16-year-old daughter Charlotte, a pupil at St Nicholas Catholic High School in Hartford, was really impressed by the quality of the dresses.

"She was keen to go because she is very much into recycling and upcycling," said Liz, who volunteers at St Luke's furniture warehouse. "She saw the sale advertised on a leaflet at school.

"A lot of girls budget around £250 for a prom dress and I would happily have paid that but Charlotte wanted to support a worthy cause."

Northwich Guardian:

Girls were amazed at the selection and quality of the new and pre-loved prom dresses on sale at St Luke's Hospice shop

Pupils from Weaverham High School, Winsford Academy, Oaklands School and Hartford High School also attended the event.

Liz said: "I thought it was amazing, the dresses were beautiful.

"Charlotte selected four to try on and chose a lovely dress in fuchsia pink. She was over the moon. She said she felt amazing to put that dress on. I was made up.

"It was lovely moment to see these young girls coming out of the changing rooms twirling round, excited to be wearing long dresses."

Charlotte also bought a pair of silver high heel shoes.

Shop manager Carol Heath said: "We'd like to thank everyone who came along to our prom dress event. It was a great evening and really well attended.

"We're delighted to say we sold eight dresses and raised an incredible £358 in two hours!

"Prom can be a very expensive time for parents and students so we hope our event will allow girls to feel just as glamorous at their special occasion at a fraction of the price.

"We hope you all have a fantastic time at your prom, we're sure you'll all look a million dollars!"

Liz is keen to encourage more young people to recycle clothes and support the hospice.

"A lot of girls might be shy to be seen in a second hand shop," said Liz. "But there is a glut of clothes that we have to send to landfill and they don't break down.

"Workers in India and Pakistan work long hours and receive poor money, often in poor conditions for us to have a cut price shirt to wear for a week and then dispose of.

"Buying second hand clothes gives clothes another lease of life and supports a good cause."