A GENEROUS donation made by a Shotton salon owner will give nearly 40 young girls the chance to have a prom night they will always remember.

Fern Lewis, who works at Luke Anthony Hair and Beauty Studio, has donated a total of 39 dresses to an appeal set up by a pair of volunteer radio presenters in Deeside.

Miss Lewis, from Flint, said: “It is such a great feeling knowing that these girls, who could have missed out on the experience with all their friends, will have the chance to feel very special for the day.

“A decision to help the appeal was in honour of my mother-in-law Julie who sadly passed away the beginning of this year.”

Fern told the Leader how Julie was an extremely caring and generous women, with her own son and daughters donating the wedding and prom dresses from her shop to a local appeal.

The Leader previously reported that Lynne Chick and Lisa McKessy-Schofield – who present the Loose Ladies programme on Radio Deeside – launched the appeal for dresses, make-up and hair services in January that would be made available in the lead up to prom season.

The salon is also partnering up with the prom appeal to offer young girls the chance of a full beauty experience ahead of the big day – with hair and makeup services offered at a discounted rate when they quote the Loose Ladies appeal.

Fern added: “We know that it can be the most expensive time of the year for some families, especially if you have two or more children, which is why this prom dress appeal was something we wanted to help out with.”

The initial idea came from presenter Lisa McKessy-Schofield, who told the Leader that at least ten girls have been helped through the appeal so far.

She said: " We have been inundated with donations and we've got a suitcase full of unbelievable looking suits and dresses. We thought this appeal could help because it is not nice for a child to feel left out.

“Everything has been done in strict confidence as we know kids can be cruel but the whole thing is about helping young girls have an experience they would otherwise have missed out on.”

Lisa also said that if any girls need alterations made to the dresses, a Hawarden-based shop The Village Tailors, off Rectory Lane, has offered their services at a discounted service when referencing the prom appeal.

Furthermore, outside of the prom season, Lisa told the Leader that the formalwear could be loaned out for the use of weddings and other expensive occasions – and the appeal will continue to accept donations year-round.

Drop off points for the donations continue to be open at Enbarr in Queensferry, as well as the George And Dragon pub in Flint, Top Monkey in Northop Hall and the Co-Operative Funeralcare in Connah's Quay.

Donations can also be handed in to the Radio Deeside Studio at Deeside Leisure Centre on Saturdays between 8am and 10am, as well as Sundays between 7pm and 9pm.