A LAST-minute helicopter flight turned school prom disaster into eye-catching triumph for Old Buckenham pupil Edward Walpole.The youngster faced double misery as his first prom date was prevented from attending the village high school celebration and then his planned transport turned out to be unavailable.

A LAST-minute helicopter flight turned school prom disaster into eye-catching triumph for Old Buckenham pupil Edward Walpole.

The youngster faced double misery as his first prom date was prevented from attending the village high school celebration and then his planned transport turned out to be unavailable.

But thanks to mum Tracey Day and her friend's husband, helicopter pilot Martin Bunn, Edward was able to make an entrance in style and enjoy the evening with his new prom date Megan Howell.

The drama began when 16-year-old Edward's date, who had been chosen about a year ago, was told that she could not attend after being involved in an end-of-term school prank which backfired.

Miss Day, of Carleton Rode, said: “My son was really upset as it is nice to have a partner to go with.

“Thankfully at the last minute he found out a friend of his, Megan Howell, did not have a partner and she agreed to go with him.”

But disaster struck again when Edward found out four days before the prom that the transport he was hoping to use to get him there in style would probably not be available.

“As you can imagine I was at my wits end trying to think of an idea of how to get him there in style with only a short time to organise it,” said Miss Day.

But with three days to go, while waiting at her younger children's school gate, a chance remark to friend Michelle Bunn was to make Edward's prom unforgettable.

Michelle said her husband Martin could take Edward in his helicopter.

Miss Day then had to check with the venue, Barnham Broom Country Club, to see if the helicopter could land. The night before the prom they gave the all clear and arranged for markings to be put in place for it to land. Then the weather had to be checked to see if it was OK to fly in.

Everything went to plan and, after taking off from Bunwell, Edward arrived at Barnham Broom with most of the prom guests watching his arrival. Meanwhile date Megan was taken to the prom in an MG.

Edward's happy mum added: “He has said it is the best experience he has ever had and thanks to the kind generosity of Martin and Michelle Bunn made his prom a night to remember and something he will treasure forever.”

If the weather HAD turned bad friends John and Tracey Booty were on standby with their Jaguar to take Edward to the prom.