'You shall go to the ball' - charity Prom Ally dresses girls for prom night

All the dresses are donated or bought from charity shops. Credit: promally.co.uk

With prom season almost upon us, a charity is making dreams come true by making sure every girl gets to go to the ball.

Prom Ally was set up by 20-year-old Ally Elouise Outten, from Llandudno in north Wales, and offers teenage girls who may be facing financial hardship the chance to loan a dress for their special night.

The dresses are all loaned out free of charge and are either purchased from charity shops or donated.

Ally said she was inspired by an American television show:

Watch: Ian Lang meets Ally, who started Prom Ally with her birthday money:

The craze, which originated in America, cost girls in Wales an average of £199.63 last year, with boys spending around £150.

Figures from comparison website GoCompare also reveal 82% of teenagers here have already had, or are going to have, a high school prom - an increase of over a fifth from 67% two years ago.

But many parents here think the idea is getting out of control, with one in 10 suggesting proms should be banned.

A quarter of parents asked said they see the events as a drain on already-stretched finances, but nearly a fifth said they planned to spend between £3-400 on their daughters' big night.

Many prom-goers in Wales fork out for professional hair dos, makeup and fake tan. Credit: PA

GoCompare also compiled a list of the most popular prom night purchases:

  • New dress or suit - 84% girls, 75% boys

  • Professional hair do - 61% girls, 50% boys

  • Hire car - 36% girls, 28% boys

  • Fake tan - 22% girls, 8% boys

  • Flowers or corsage - 32% girls, 19% boys

  • After-party - 10% of girls and boys host one