IT'S every girl’s dream – to be a princess – and for 16-year-old Lucy Edwards, the dream is about to come true... for a day at least.

The Flint teenager will be the belle of the ball at her school prom this month and the magic began with a day’s shopping for ‘that’ dress courtesy of Debenhams in Wrexham’s Eagles Meadow shopping centre.

Lucy, from Trelawny Avenue, Flint, won the Leader’s Prom Princess competition which also included the services of Debenhams’ personal shopper Grace Hughes to help her pick out her prom dress and £250 worth of accessories.

For added help Lucy also brought along mum Shirley and her brother’s fiancée, Sian Hindley, as they set out on a shopping day to remember.

First on the agenda was to pick out a selection of dresses from Debenhams’ dazzling array of partywear, long, short and mid-length, all shimmering colours and silky textures, not forgetting the accessories, tiaras, necklaces, bracelets and a stylish selection of shoes.

Petite Lucy, who plans to study English, media and psychology in the sixth form at Ysgol Maes Garmon, in Mold, said: “I’m really excited and looking forward to this.

“I want something unusual, something no one else will have.”

Mum Shirley, who has three sons, Daniel, 25, Jamie, 23, and Brad,10, added: “Lucy is very girlie. Now we’re here, she’ll probably try the shop on.

“She didn’t expect to win. When she saw the pictures of the group of finalists she said, ‘Mum, they’re all so pretty,’ but Lucy is my only girl and she’s always been my princess.”

Personal shopper Grace, 23, from Bangor on Dee, has a degree in international fashion marketing from Manchester University so she knows her way around a clothes rack and deftly picks out a series of dazzling outfits – Lucy nods approval and then it’s off to the private dressing rooms.

First up for Lucy is a stunning lemon yellow creation which finishes just above the knee and gets the thumbs up from Lucy’s advisory committee – even 10-year-old Brad is impressed by his big sister.

Lucy loves it and it looks like being the shortest fitting in Debenhams history but as we’re here we might as well try some more and next up is a long, elegant sheath of purple which sets off Lucy’s blonde hair and creamy complexion – another winner.

So it goes on as a succession of stunning dresses impress and sparkling accessories dazzle, and decisions still have to be made.

“I love doing the personal shopping,” says Grace. “I always volunteer if someone requests one. It’s wonderful to be able to really spend time with a customer and help them choose something really special and see how pleased they look.”

“Maybe I could wear one to start with and change halfway through,” says Lucy, who is torn between the little lemon number and a long and iridescent blue gown.
More follow but finally the blue and the lemon win the day.

Which one Lucy will wear on the night remains to be decided though the shoes have been chosen, a glamorous silvery-grey pair with delicate buttons.

“It’s been a tough choice to make but a lot of fun as well,” says Lucy.

“Each one I tried on I thought I liked best, in fact I liked all of them but you have to make a choice in the end.

“I have really been looking forward to this. I’m sure my friends must have been a bit envious but they’ve been great and really pleased for me as well.”

Shirley added: “Lucy’s going to New York so we’ve been saving for that so we thought we’d have to save on the prom dress but thanks to the Leader this has been brilliant.”

Choices made, it’s off to the Debenhams cafe to mull over those crucial fashion decisions over a fortifying afternoon tea and cake and there’s still the second part of her competition prize to be claimed, a full makeover from Debenhams cosmetics experts on the day of the prom, Monday, June 20.