REVELLERS who flocked to Barbury Castle Racecourse for a charity ball have helped raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The Butterfly Ball, which attracted 400 people, raised £14,600.

And the cash will be split between Macmillan Cancer Relief and children's cancer and leukaemia charity CLIC Sargent.

To help raise so much money three local businesses donated their time for free. Sue Brady Catering provided a four-course meal for everyone who attended.

Covered Occasions Marquees put up the marquee where the ball was held and Wexcombe Flower Fairies decorated it.

Ball organiser Caroline Quinton Smith, pictured right, was thrilled at the ball's success.

She decided to organise the event because her father-in-law died from cancer last year and was cared for by Macmillan nurses from Swindon.

She said: "We decided CLIC Sargent should be the other beneficiary as they are a wonderful charity and I have five children and hope none of them will ever develop cancer but if they did I know the work the CLIC Sargent does could be beneficial to my family."

She is now hoping to arrange a ball every two years.