SCOUSE comic Jimmy Tarbuck has been confirmed as the guest speaker at a fund-raising dinner next month.

It is being staged by the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce in aid of the Millennium Appeal for local children.

The event will be the first major fund-raiser for the new East Lancashire branch of the Variety Club which is aiming to raise thousands to help disadvantaged children in the area.

The fundraising campaign will run for the 100 days before and after New Year's Day and include a string of high profile events. Hundreds of local businesses are being asked to put forward good causes they feel should benefit from money raised. A committee will then decide which projects will benefit

Events already being planned include a Valentine's Day Celebrity Ball and a Fun Day at Camelot Theme Park.

Further details on the dinner, at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel on November 19, are available on 01254 388400.

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