SKIPTON bridal boutique owner Mandy Abramson has hit on a novel way to celebrate a quarter of a century in business – by inviting her customers from the past 25 years to be models in a charity fashion show.

Some 20 former customers in their 20s to their 50s will model gowns at the boutique’s first ever charity fashion show on Friday, March 8.

Part of the proceeds will go to Skipton charity, The Principle Trust, which provides respite holidays for children who are underprivileged, disadvantaged, disabled, have life-limiting conditions, or who have experienced poverty, trauma or abuse.

The show will feature the latest gowns from Cinderella’ Bridal Boutique at High Corn Mill, which Mandy co-owns and manages with her husband and business partner, Doug.

The idea was sparked by Mandy’s mission to challenge body image insecurities and use real women – of all ages, shapes and sizes – to model the gowns.

One of the models taking part is Mandy’s first ever customer, Susan Fleet, who purchased her dream dress from Cinderellas when she was 32.

Thirty-two-year-old mum-to-be Kayleigh McLocklan will also be modelling gowns, despite being six months pregnant.

Susan and Kayleigh will be joined on the catwalk by a bevy of one-time brides in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.

Cinderella’s hit the headlines last year when Mandy invited women from all walks of life to try on a wedding dress - even if they had no plans to marry.

The inspiration came from Mandy’s terminally ill close friend, Molly Fuchs from Settle; Molly had never worn a wedding gown and wanted to tick it off her bucket list. Photos of Molly in the gown went viral on social media and attracted considerable media attention. The boutique’s ‘Real Women Week’ now looks set to become an annual tradition.

Since setting up her independent bridal and ball gown establishment in 1999, Mandy has supplied over 5000 wedding dresses to brides-to-be of all ages and sizes; her gowns range from £100 to £2000 and are available in all styles and variations.

Mandy, who is 53 and lives in Addingham, said: "In the last 25 years, I’ve supplied and fitted wedding dresses to over 5000 brides; I owe my customers a great deal and wanted the chance for them to be part of our celebrations."

Kerry Magson of The Principle Trust added: "The fashion show promises to be a fantastic evening; thanks to supporters like Mandy, The Principle Trust has helped thousands of disadvantaged, disabled and poorly children to escape their everyday troubles and create valuable, happy memories.’

Cinderella’ Bridal Boutique Fashion Show takes place at Elsworth at the Mill in Skipton on Friday March 8 from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets cost £15 (including a drink and nibbles) and are available from Cinderella’s website, www.dreamdress.co.uk