A VERY special guest will be present at a charity ball at the Moorland Links Hotel on October 3 in aid of leprosy sufferers all over the world — Crown Prince Shwebomin of Burma.

The event is being held by the Tavistock charity The Commandery of Avalon on behalf of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem.

Commander of the order is charity worker Trevor Paddon Hall from Bere Alston who is a friend of Prince Shwebomin. The two are currently working on a project on the borders of Burma and Thailand, which has been hit by severe flooding and other problems. Of the 300,000 refugees in that area, many have leprosy.

Mr Paddon Hall said the order was set up in 1150 solely for the purpose of helping lepers and people with skin disease. It ran a hospital in Jerusalem and other centres around the world.

He hoped the event would raise £4,000 which would pay for nursing staff and help to keep the centres going.

The charity ball starts at 7pm and will include a three-course dinner. Anyone who wishes to attend should contact Trevor Paddon-Hall on 01822 840091.

'I am delighted that Prince Shwebomin has accepted the invitation to come,' said Mr Paddon-Hall.

'He is a man who is very keen to support charitable activities, especially those involving children.'