BLACK ties and ball gowns were donned by 250 guests at the CHICKS charity winter ball, who delved deep into their pockets and raised £16,000 for disadvantaged children.

Guests were wined and dined at the Holiday Inn in Plymouth, and encouraged to let their hair down at the 'Las Vegas'-style casino and various other festivities, including a band, auction and raffle.

This is the first year that CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) has held such a ball, which was sponsored by marketing and communications agency Formedia. The money raised will go to provide respite breaks for under-priveliged children at their two retreats, the Moorland Retreat in Brentor, and Coastal Retreat in Par.

Jenny Paton, corporate and events fundraiser at CHICKS, said: 'We are delighted with the remarkable support that we have received this year and the staggering amount that has been raised for CHICKS as a result.

'I would like to thank all our guests, our sponsors Formedia and everyone who very generously donated top prizes for our auction, raffle and items for our goody bags.'

This year CHICKS has helped 800 disadvantaged children, but they hope to raise this number to 1,200 children per year because of an increase in demand for the service.

Pictured left to right are Major P Shergold, of 42 Commando Royal Marines, Plymouth, Marion Luckhurst, chairman of trustees CHICKS, Robin Barlow, auctipeer, and Roy Endacott, chief executive of CHICKS.