AN EVENING of milltime merriment was enjoyed by all as a charity barn dance got underway in aid of two cancer charities.

Local businessman Alan Spear organised the dance at his company?s old premises ? Phoenix Mill in Horrabridge ? which is soon to be demolished.

The mill is being pulled down to make way for a two-house development site which it is hoped will be on the market by June next year, and the fundraiser served as a poignant farewell to the old building.

More than 230 tickets were sold for the evening which raised money for St Luke?s Hospice in Plymouth and Cancer Research UK.

People came to help the two much-deserved causes and were treated to an entertainment extravaganza with a local live band, finger buffet banquet and the chance to bag a bargain at the charity auction.

Alan said: ?The dance was a great success ? it went brilliantly and everyone had a fantastic time.

?We had so much support for the event from people buying tickets, donations to the charities and gifts to be auctioned ? in total we raised in excess of £10,000.?

Jonathan Farnhill of St Luke?s Hospice and Sylvia Arlett from Cancer Research UK were guests of honour on Saturday night with both thoroughly enjoying the occasion.

Jonathan said: ?It was quite simply a brilliant evening ? everyone was so generous ? it just exceeded all our expectations.

?The auction was unbelievable ? one sports fan paid £300 for a football signed by all the Spurs team!

?I just want to thank Alan for all the hard work he put into this event; he is a marvellous example to everyone.?