AN equine charity is encouraging people to dust off their glad rags and pop on their dancing shoes for a spring ball next year.

South West Equine Protection is hosting its first ever ball in April 2014, the biggest event it has ever held, as a way of fundraising towards its £500,000 target needed to build a new base and as a chance to relax after a tough winter.

The ball is being held at the China Fleet Country Club in Saltash, where guests will enjoy a three course meal, live entertainment, professional photography and an auction.

Fundraiser Laura Head said: 'Obviously winter is a really tough time for us and because of the cold weather there is a good chance we could end up with more ponies in our care. So the idea was to plan an event for spring which will be a breath of fresh air after a tough winter.

'A lot of what we do is quite doom and gloom so it will be a good chance for people to just enjoy themselves.'

Laura said that the ball is open to anyone who wants to attend — it is not just for people associated with the charity or for equestrian people.

The charity is currently running from three different sites in West Devon and has just been granted planning permission to build a new single yard, which is set to cost around £500,000.

'Our main fundraising at the moment is for our new yard, but we are continuously fundraising for the ponies in our care. We are half way to our £500,000 already and are hoping to be in the new place by spring or possibly summer.

'Being on three different sites is hard because we are a team but we feel quite separated. If we are all on one site things will be a lot more easy to manage.'

The charity is currently looking for prizes to be donated for the auction and for individuals or businesses to be sponsors of the evening.

'It will be around £30 per sponsorship. If we can get enough to cover the cost of the ball, it means that there will be more money for the charity.'

The ball will be held on April 11 from 6.45pm to 1am. The China Fleet Club will be offering discounted accommodation for ticket holders and the Barn Spa at the club will be offering 15 per cent discount on various items.

For tickets, priced at £50, or to donate prizes or enquire about sponsoring the event, contact Laura Head on 01822 854823 or email [email protected]">[email protected]