FUND-RAISERS stepped out in style at a fashion show and dinner dance in aid of the East Lancashire Hospice.

Catwalk models, dressed by Solitaire Fashions, Darwen, paraded for an audience of 175 people before a charity auction, raffle, Mexican-style dinner and disco at the Bear Hotel, Darwen.

David and Jenny Grogan, of Solitaire Fashions, Darwen, hosted the event which raised more than £5,000 to help build better day care facilities at the hospice at Park Lee, Blackburn.

It was also supported by Roy Marlor, menswear, of Blackburn and Burnley.

The most sought-after auction item was a Manchester United shirt signed by all members of the team, which went for £510.

A Carl Fogarty helmet and two tickets for the Suzuki Grand Prix did not raise their reserve price and will be auctioned later on the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's auction hunter website, www.thisislancashire.co.uk.

Jenny Grogan said: "We hope that those two items will go to collectors and will raise more than £1,000 extra.

"I have organised fashion shows before but I have never done anything quite as big as this. It was fast and furious but all the hard work was worth it."

For more information about fund raising or making a donation, call the East Lancashire Hospice Appeals Office on 01254 660900.

Donations can be made at any Natwest branch into the East Lancashire Hospice Fund Day Care Unit Appeal account, sort code 01-00-85 a/c 12804509.

If you are planning an event, call Amy Binns at the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on 01254 678678 ext 208.

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