Organisers Sue Lane and Rosemarie Amos said the practices had been going smoothly.

Sue Lane encouraged one of the newest debs, Rotary exchange student from Finland, Laura Kiviaho, to take part.

"I hadn't done this sort of dancing in Finland, but I liked buying my dress," said Laura.

Another deb, Mikaela Hopkins, said she bought the first dress she saw.

"Being a debutante is very exciting and it was enjoyable learning how to waltz," she said.

Paige Henry also said learning how to waltz was a highlight as was the "shopping part".

"Mum was a deb and my family has lots of debs, so it's a tradition," she said.

Her partner, Casey Wallace said it was good being part of the event.

"It's about Just being with Paige and trying to make it the best experience for her and she's my girlfriend, too," he said.

At the ball will be two flower girls and page boys - the flower girls will take the bouquets from the debs so they can dance - they'll "mind the flowers" said organiser Mrs Lane.

One of the flower girls, Charlotte Coleman, who's seven and a half, said she liked being part of the event because "I get to wear a pretty dress".

Meanwhile, Nick Dale, who's 10 and a half, said it was "really weird and something new" for him.

His mother, Emma Davis, said: "I asked him if he'd like to take part and he said 'yes'.

"They also have a choice to dance and have been trying to learn the waltz and if they feel confident enough, they can dance after the debs have done their presentation."

Nick said he didn't have any regrets about saying "yes".

Reverend Ana Webster-Hawes will be matron of honour which involves presenting the debutantes to the bishop.

"I've never been a deb myself," she said.