The spray tans are booked along with the nails, lashes and the limo because it's prom season. And Norfolk's businesses are cashing in as the average spend per child can be an eye-watering £500.

Eastern Daily Press: IES Breckland had itsYear 11 prom at Hockwold Hall. Photo: IES BrecklandIES Breckland had itsYear 11 prom at Hockwold Hall. Photo: IES Breckland

And Norfolk's businesses are cashing in as the average spend per child can be an eye-watering £500.

Students don't just want to look the part for their big night but also want to arrive in A-lister style. Most special occasion vehicles from limos to a massive Hummer are full booked as early as January.

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Eastern Daily Press: IES Breckland had itsYear 11 prom at Hockwold Hall. Photo: IES BrecklandIES Breckland had itsYear 11 prom at Hockwold Hall. Photo: IES Breckland

The cost per child that parents need to fork out varies but apparently averages at around £500 with the biggest spend being on a dress or suit.

And this Friday is the most popular night of the year for proms with exams finished and the summer holidays looming. Schools including Thorpe St Andrew and Hellesdon High will be celebrating this week.

Diane Harper, who runs Silverline Limousines based in Blofield, along with Kevin Kitteridge, said the cost ranged from £200-£500 for a vehicle, with the most popular being the bright red Hummer, the only one of its kind in Norfolk.

Eastern Daily Press: The Hummer eight seater limo is a popular prom choice offered by Blofield based Silverline Limousines. Pic: submittedThe Hummer eight seater limo is a popular prom choice offered by Blofield based Silverline Limousines. Pic: submitted

"You can seat up to eight people meaning when they share the cost, it's actually quite reasonable and we treat them like weddings, so we only hire one out a night. They also get a glass of non-alcoholic bubbly," she said.

"At this time of year, it's huge business for us, it is absolutely manic. Some cars have been booked since January, but other people are still ringing us this week. We will have absolutely every suitable vehicle out of our total fleet of 24 booked out, and every year it just seems to get bigger and better."

One of the biggest proms is Thorpe St Andrew High School's night at Sprowston Manor Hotel where the arrival in a limo is a big part of the event and so busy, it can take up to two hours just for students to get escorted inside.

Ella Johnson, a hair stylist at The Salon Hair & Beauty in Thorpe St Andrew, said girls booked in for spray tans in advance of the prom then returned for false lashes, gel nails and for their hair to be styled - costing up to £95 each.

"Most girls want their hair put up or curled, it's definitely become our busiest time of the year and has given us a real boost."

Hazel Hallett set up her business Party & Prom in Long Stratton five years ago and stocks about 600 dresses. "Prices range from £50 to £250 or more but I would say the average people spend is a couple of hundred. Navy blue is always very popular."

Norfolk mum, Mel Rudgley-Coleman spent about £500 on her daughter Ella's prom. "I indulged her with the dress which was £300, the limo was £100 each, hair was £50, nails £45 and accessories such as shoes and a bag were £50."