TEENAGER Courtney Carter insisted she would never go to prom because bullies made her school life miserable.

But with one-month to go, she made a last-minute decision to attend the event and was given a spectacular entrance with a motorbike escort.

The 16-year-old, from Penketh, was diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder aged four after two years of tests.

Rachel Carter, Courtney's mum, said: "I knew something was up, she didn't walk until she was two-and-a-half and didn't speak until she started primary school.

"Courtney went to speech therapy and she gained an American accent from it and that's partly what she gets bullied for."

Courtney, who attends Penketh High School, returned home at the start of the academic year with a letter about prom which she threw in the bin.

Since starting in year seven, Courtney told her mum she would not be going to prom.

Just one month before prom night, Courtney decided she wanted to go and not let the bullies stop her.

Rachel, 36, added: "I don't know what clicked inside her but she told me she wanted to go to her prom.

"Most girls get limos or fancy cars to prom, I thought we could dress up my dad's old Jaguar a bit and I asked my partner John if we could surround the car with motorbikes."

John posted an appeal on a biker's Facebook group, asking if anyone could help escort Courtney to her prom.

Rachel and John were overwhelmed with the response to the post and 35 bikers from across the north west arrived at The Coach and Horses Pub in Sankey Bridges to greet Courtney on Thursday, June 28.

Rachel said: "She wasn't aware that we had organised anything and was completely shocked when we arrived at the pub. I told her she wasn't allowed to cry because it would ruin her makeup!"

With just one month until prom, it was a race against time to find Courtney the perfect dress.

Rachel said: "The girls at Vikki Leigh Bridal Lounge were absolutely fantastic.

"Courtney lost weight between all of her dress fittings and we got a phone call on the day of the prom saying it wasn't ready as they had to take it in even more.

"They delivered the dress to our door less than an hour before we left, I can't thank them enough."

Courtney was driven from the pub to Statham Lodge accompanied by 35 motorbikes and family friend Stuart Wilson walked her into the venue.

Her standout entrance meant many pupils spoke to her on the night and she enjoyed a sit-down meal after struggling to eat in the canteen throughout school.

"I told her that if she wanted to come home at any point that I would pick her up but I got a text at 11.15pm from her saying the night was going too quick.

"She danced all night and loved every minute," her mum added.

Courtney hopes to attend Cronton Sixth Form College in Widnes this September to study dance and drama.

Having danced since she was three years old, Courtney uses performing arts as an outlet to cope with being bullied.

Rachel and John would like to thank Rivington Barn Bikers, Born of Chaos and St Helen's Bikers for making Courtney's night so special.