So what was Katy doing last weekend? Celebrating her 28th birthday with the biggest party of her life - that's what. Planning started back in August and come September I had booked the St Nicholas Centre in Ipswich and begun to think about Djs and decorations.

So what was Katy doing last weekend? Celebrating her 28th birthday with the biggest party of her life - that's what.

Planning started back in August and come September I had booked the St Nicholas Centre in Ipswich and begun to think about Djs and decorations.

The week before was rather hectic, what with rushing back and forth to the centre for planning meetings and emailing the staff on an almost hourly basis.

What with music to sort out, balloons to book, hundreds of pictures to scan for my 'this is your life'-style presentation, which I had projected onto the huge screen on stage, and the important 'what to wear?' decisions, I was so busy I could hardly even eat (though with a skimpy dress to fit into, that was a plus).

By the time the big day arrived I was buzzing around like a child high on Haribo sweets.

The entire morning was spent fretting that the PA system would not be loud enough, or the projector would not work, or something would go wrong. It wasn't until lunch time that I could finally relax a bit - by which time the dance floor had been constructed, the speakers and lights set up, and around 100 pink helium balloons inflated.

Being the show-off that I am, I had more than one outfit lined up for the evening and had turned the church's book shop into my private changing room, with clothes hanging among the bibles and other religious paraphernalia. At least five people said I looked like a mermaid - which I took as a compliment - in the slinky, sparkly blue floor-length number. I later changed into a more danceable outfit - black cropped trousers and a backless black top - after which I changed yet again into black leggings, a T-shirt with 'dance' emblazoned in rhinestones over the front, teamed with metallic pink boots and a pink belt for an 80s edge (and which fitted with Madonna's Ciao Italia 1988 tour that was then being projected).

On the food front, I'd gone a bit OTT in Makro and spent a small fortune on chocolates and crisps, which my guests gladly devoured.

All in all the whole night went by in a bit of a blur, and not because I was drunk but because the old adage 'time always flies when you're having fun' really is true. It was great to see so many people there, especially those who made a special effort to come all the way from London.

I socialised as much as possible, which was difficult when so many top tunes were drawing me to the dance floor.

One of the highlights was having many of the salsa crew turning up, despite there being another salsa night in Ipswich that same night. I had planned for a salsa set at the half way point and was pleased to get in at least six dances before switching back to the more 'normal' pop tunes.

I want to say a big thank you to all who came to help me celebrate but a special mention must go to my djs - Tony, Luke and Russell, who did a grand job; to Andy Cutting who provided the lights, speakers and smoke machine; to Sid from Ace Balloon Art on Woodbridge Road; to the guys at the Sanctuary and St Nicolas Centre; and especially to Mark from American Marquees in Essex, who went beyond the call of duty to persevere, in the face of adversity (he'll know what I mean) with the rotating glitter ball to get it fixed over the centre of the dance floor.

And another big thanks to Dan at Liquid Envy who gave my friends and I the VIP treatment with strawberries and champagne later on in the night.

Though I had a most splendid evening, I felt slightly deflated the next morning once it was all over (must be how brides feel after their big day). I'd spent months thinking about and planning the party and in a flash (four and a half hours to be precise) is was all over. Was the extortionate monetary outlay worth it? Of course it was. Having my close friends and family all together enjoying themselves, and dancing to my favourite songs, was priceless. And when I overheard someone, who was gorging themselves on the numerous chocolates I'd bought, saying it was the best party they'd ever been to - well that was the icing on the cake.

To see Katy's party pictures, go online at www.eadt.co.uk/features

More pics at MySpace