A FLOCK of hens wore wedding gowns to help a bride-to-be bid farewell to her single years in high matrimonial style.

Zoe Hughes, 34, decided she wanted a hen party with a difference, so invited her 45-strong group of family and friends to wear their wedding dresses for her do.

Meanwhile, Zoe donned a blue-coloured bridesmaid’s dress for the occasion, and said the group’s night out had been great fun. It began with a fully-catered dinner at her home in The Broadway, Thorpe Bay, before the group headed for Southend nightclub, Talk.

The mum-of-three hit upon the idea of a wedding gown dresscode after talking to recently married friends who were sad they would not get the chance to wear their bridal gowns again.

The night was organised by her sister, and chief bridesmaid Michelle Hughes, who said: “People really made a real effort. Some wore their own dress and others bought theirs off eBay. It was really quite something seeing everyone in their dresses.”

Miss Hughes will wed fiance Dan Shields at St Augustine’s Church, Thorpe Bay, on July 23.