FASHION students strutted their stuff in their own designer-made ball gown creations at a special 12th Night ball . The Comfort Inn, Burnley, provided the room free and Burnley College paid for entertainment from band The Machine Men and disco DJ Paul Bowden.

All the students had to do was spend a month sketching, pattern cutting, designing, sewing, adapting and coming up with stunning gowns that could have graced any fashion show cat walk.

The 20 students are all completing a their BTech National in fashion and textiles. Second year students were given the challenge of creating a ball gown from scratch, while first year students were sent off to charity shops to see what they could find and adapt.

Tutor Chris Puckett said: "We were lucky to have some beautiful fabrics sponsored and materials sold at cost price by Oddies Textiles, Colne. The designs were very imaginative and a lot of effort has been put in by all of the students. I don't think I want to see a sewing machine again for some time!"

Creating the outfits is just part of the course work and projects undertaken by the students, who will soon be taking their skills to the community to teach others.

Chris explained: "We will be training people in the community to be machinists and also holding courses to teach them skills for adapting and adjusting clothes."

Besides students, school governors and industrial sponsors were also at the ball.

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