Children' tears over film dresses

Young fans were left in tears after discovering dresses sold to make them look like their idols in the film High School Musical 3 are not worn during the movie.

Parents paid up to £17 each at Asda for the prom frocks stars Gabriella and Sharpay wear in promotional shots for the film. Staff reported they were "flying off the shelves" during the run-up to the Wednesday's launch of the Disney blockbuster.

Thousands have already been snapped up at the 349 Asda stores where they are being sold nationwide, including in Wolverhampton, with many more expected to be bought before Christmas.

Excited youngsters proudly wore them to see the movie in West Midland cinemas but delight turned to despair as it became clear that neither of the characters appeared on screen in either dress. The two companies today confessed scenes in the film featuring the dresses had been cut from the film. But that has not stopped either Disney or Asda from continuing to sell them.

Leah Watson from Asda said in a joint statement on behalf of both companies today: "The replica Gabriella Montez and Sharpay Evans dresses currently available from George at Asda do not feature in the final cut.

"They are based on the dresses worn by the respective characters in the promotional materials for the film. Both Asda and Disney apologise for any confusion caused."

Julie Hodgkiss a 33-year-old University of Wolverhampton administration officer from York Road, Castlecroft, paid £17 for a black Gabriella Prom dress and spent a further £16 on a pink Sharpay prom dress for daughters Grace, aged eight, and four-year-old Jessica to wear when they saw the film on Wednesday.

She said: "They were both very excited about seeing the film in their dresses which had been bought for the occasion and so it was terribly disappointing for them.

"It hit Grace hardest because she is old enough to appreciate what had happened. She was in tears and it wrecked the evening for her.

"I think it is very misleading that these prom frocks appear in promotional material connected with the film."