Francis House Children’s Hospice hosted its annual fundraising ball at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa.

The event, which had a theme of ‘showtime’, was attended by almost 500 guests and raised £103,000 profit for the Didsbury-based hospice.

Judy Bailey, event organiser, said: ‘It was a wonderful evening. Many of the guests come every year and tell me they feel it’s the beginning of their Christmas.

Charlie Ross arrived just in time for the auction, straight from filming at the BBC in Manchester. He is truly amazing as well as being entertaining.’