SHE did go to the ball! Teenager Rachel Ellis had faced missing her leavers' prom after she was banned from Millthorpe School in York for refusing to remove a lip piercing.

But the 15-year-old was allowed to join her friends at the celebrations on Saturday night after reaching a compromise with head teacher Tony Wootton in which she removed the stud for lessons.

Year 11 pupils at the school had helped to arrange the event, attended by about 140 students and 30 staff, at Askham Bryan Conference Centre. They held events, including a raffle and a fashion show, to raise cash for the evening.

Eleanor Spink, 16, head of the organising committee, said the prom was a huge hit.

"It was excellent. Everyone had such a good night. They all dressed up for the occasion and looked so beautiful."

She said the committee - including Gemma Brown, Sarah Graham, Emily Humble and Casey Western - had worked very hard to stage the event.

"With ticket money, we raised £2,400, and have spent nearly all of it on decorations and food. We will give the rest to a charity."

Rachel, of Dringhouses, said the highlight was the awards ceremony, when Matthew Deeley and Siobhan Keeble were voted Prom King and Queen.

Awards also included "rear of the year", "biggest poser", "best dressed revellers" and "biggest contribution to Year 11", which went to Ashley Mason.

"It was a really good night," said Rachel, who wore her controversial lip stud. "All my mates said they were glad I was there."

Mum Paula, 38, said she had had a meeting with Mr Wootton, and Rachel agreed to remove her lip stud during class. "She will be allowed to wear it at dinner time and as soon as school finishes," she said.

"As she agreed to do that, Mr Wootton kindly allowed her to go to the prom, and she was completely over the moon about that."

Updated: 10:55 Monday, May 15, 2006