Be the belle of the ball

A shop specialising in supplying stylish dresses for school proms has opened in Great Haywood, near Stafford.

Drop Dead Gorgeous is at the Elms Business Centre next to the Clifford Arms in the village.

The brains behind the venture are mums Judy Eccleshall and Arlene Gwyther who between them have many years experience in local schools as a teacher and an educational specialist.

They came up with the idea after going back to a school prom and hearing from former pupils of the difficulties they had experienced finding and affording a dress and accessories for the special evening.

"Having had teenage daughters we know how tiring and frustrating it can be finding the right dress for a special occasion. What really brought it home was one of our previous pupils telling us how much her dress had cost – more than £400. It was lovely and she looked and felt great but it was so expensive," said Mrs Eccleshall.

Drop Dead Gorgeous carries a range of more than 100 dresses and a unique range of accessories, including glittering tiaras, to complement the outfits.

The shop is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 3pm to 7pm, and Sundays from 10am until 2pm.

The partners plan a number of choreographed fashion shows at local schools with the first being held at Hagley Park Sports College on February 20 and another planned on March 6 at Rising Brook High Sports College, Stafford.