A SCHOOL student has designed a pantomime dame's gown - not for a drama production but for her GCSE textiles examination.

And as the silver and pink costume was unveiled, 15-year-old Laura Laws said she had used her father, Wally, as a model for the creation.

A student at Shotton Hall school, in Peterlee, east Durham, Laura decided to take on the demanding task to demonstrate her skills at design and stitching.

It took 24 metres of metallic fabric, 40 hours of painstaking sewing and endless fittings with her long-suffering father to produce the tiered gown which is now complete with two strategically placed pom-poms.

Titled "affluence'' the dress is also appropriately applied with pound and dollar signs.

And when she wheeled out her dress fit for a dame, staff and pupils alike were amazed at the results of her efforts.

Roz Wall, Laura's textile teacher summed up the general admiration.

"A great deal of effort and hard work went into the design and making of this masterpiece it is a great reflection upon Laura that she was able to produce something of such high quality.

"There's a real sense of fun about it and I am very proud of Laura's achievement and I hope she is too.''

Modestly satisfied with her fancy frock Laura has, however, ruled out donning the creation for the school leavers' ball this evening at the Hallgarth Manor Hotel.

"Although I am pleased with my work it is clearly designed for a pantomime dame.

"I have a proper ball gown for this very special occasion,'' she said.