Tacky.

Rob, edinburgh, scotland

Many of us Americans have learned that prom night is a custom more honored in the breach than in the observance. Schools considering proms should be aware that spending and one-upmanship and such will inevitably get out of hand quickly. Consumerism is like that. Don't encourage it.

D.L. Anderson, Crossett, AR/U.S.A.

Last summer,along with every girl in my year,I found a dress, had my hair & make up done & hired a limo for the prom, on top of the £40.00 the tickets cost. We were regally ripped off with a cold buffet of cheap ham & salad,& a damp marqee. A disco in the hall would have been much more fun & cheaper

Sophia Gibbs, Cardiff, Cardiff

I graduated both UK and US High Schools and the one I remember most is the US. Prom, Sports, people...everything about it is a great memory because of the pride they we felt.

School in the UK has no pride, no sense of belonging and this is reflected in the nature of britain today!

Adrian, Sydney, Australia

As an (proud) anti-American this is something which I cannot disagree with. I think it's a great. Kids should be able to enjoy themselves at leat once in their lives. Once they're grown up & married ... you can just kiss good bye to your youthful life. Something US got right?

jayil, london, uk

Demented!

Wayne Simpson, Sleaford, England

We'll take back the prom if you take back your "hen parties."

Roddie, Washington, DC, USA

Bad news, Brits! These things have a way of escalating, like a nuclear arms race. Chauffered cars, expensive dining (but too young to order wine here), catered parties with bands, my party is fancier than yours, my family has more money than yours...there goes your retirement.

Nip this in the bud

August West, Lutz, FL, USA

Don't see a problem. In South Africa almost every school has a grand "Leaver's" dance (Named matric dance here). A lot of hype around it but has never really got out of hand and if a country like ours can handle it why can't britain?

Byron, Cape town, South Africa

My school has been having balls for the final year students for years. It is only the word prom instead of ball that is new, and most schools do not use that anyway.

sas, uk,

This is hardly new. We had a prom when I left school, and that was a few years ago now... although the dresses do seem to have gotten a little more elaborate. That is not necessarily a good thing, of course.

Ella, London,

As an expat living in Texas with children who have been through the prom experience I can tell you that in a couple of years it can get out of hand. After prom most students expect to have a party after in a hotel and it is a bonanza for the drug dealers, particularly cocaine. The jails are full.

David, Dallas,

I don't get the problem, my old school has had Christmas and Valentine's balls for years, and a couple of years back the leavers finally got a grand ball. It's a chance to look good and feel special, hardly anything wrong with that.

T.S. Hamilton, Chatham,

May Balls for chavs, innit?

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

As a teacher I really enjoy the prom night, it's a real celebration of how far the pupils have come, especially when you have seen them through some difficult times. Don't slate it till you've tried it!

sarah, leeds, england

It's a really nice idea, the young folk must really enjoy it. The only people moaning about it must be sour middle-aged folk who didn't get the chance to do this sort of thing and resent the younger generation having more than them. It's called progress, get over it!

Chris, Northampton, England

C'mon folks, schools out & its probably the first time the kids have ever dressed up. The parents enjoy it as much as the kids from the turnouts, long may it continue. (Limo driver)

Nick, Blackburn, UK

My kids have all enjoyed prom.
I've always thought it was a lot of fuss for simply completing high school, but it makes them happy and why deprive them of that.
I bought a most beautiful dress on ebay for my daughter, then sold it at a profit ,so it doesn't have to be expensive.

sally, cranbrook, canada

As a teacher, I loved seeing pupils' enjoyment of their prom night. For many of the kids I've taught, it was their first chance to feel spectacular and special and I would never begrudge that to anyone. But parents do need to teach their children about the value of money - that's a separate issue.

Judy, Soton,

I really don't understand why only now this has made the News. My school in relatively provincial Llanelli, South West Wales has had a Prom or May Ball for at least 7 years. The expenses described are not at all extraordinary, but my mother was glad that she had 2 boys and not 2 girls.

Thomas Jenkins, Llanelli, Wales

I have to agree with Emma in New Zealand. I teach in Romania and High School / Middle School Proms have been part of the school culture here for many years. In my experience they are thoroughly enjoyable, well organized events that are taken seriously by both teachers and students.

Simon, Fagaras, Romania

I left my american school in my teens and moved to the UK to finish school. To this day I'm sad that I never got my high school graduation experience. Failing to have a high school prom, however, was not something that I was disappointed about.

Esther, Devizes,

Definitely beats a school disco. But why are the girls' dresses always so hideous? Do they really spend £100s to look like the mother of the bride? Love that description of "plywood hair" and "faces like plates", hope they cut loose and have fun in the end!

Amy Allen, London,

I wouldn't say this is necessarily an American tradition. In New Zealand, a formal dance, ball or prom has been held for senior students at high schools for several decades. Its looked forward to by everyone as an occassion to dress up and a 'last hurrah' before everyone moves on from school.

Emma, Auckland, New Zealand

There's nothing wrong with a party. The event takes only a day, so what's the big deal?

Bert, London,

Let the kids enjoy the glad season of life. It's one crazy night of goofy teenagers dressing up like royalty and dancing the night away before they have to leave school and become stressed out adults.

Susan P. Widdowson, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Why does everything always have to be looked at in terms of its nationality? Instead of looking at this as an 'unnecessary American import,' why not just view it for what it is: young people having a final night of fun with great friends they'll never see again? Brings back so many memories...

jj, Columbus, US

Vacuous people. Yes, by all means have a smart, elegant party - but over 600 pounds for a dress? Ludicrous.

Tina, Dusseldorf, Germany

Disgraceful!

J.J., London,

Appalling

Mick, Auckland, NZ