USUALLY it's the domain of their older brothers and sisters but youngsters at one junior school took the unusual step of holding their own leaver's ball.

Limo after limo pulled up outside St John the Baptist Primary School in Titchfield Common, bringing Year 6 pupils to the prom.

The prom was the brainchild of the school's PTA, and it was the parents and staff who laid on the food, drinks, music and decorations.

Tracey Williams, chairman of the PTA, said: "A couple of us liked the idea and thought we would go for the entire American theme.

"It is such a grown-up thing to hold and we thought it would be a nice send-off for the children who are moving up to senior school."

The evening began with chauffeur-driven limousines collecting the smartly dressed ten- and 11-year-olds from home before heading for the school hall. They were welcomed with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks before the party got under way.

Mrs Williams said: "We ended at 8.30pm as we still had school to go to the next day, but the youngsters were all over the moon and the night went really well. It was fantastic."