A DINNER-dance in aid of a great cause was declared a huge success by organisers.

Local charity RadCan raised more than £4,000 through the black-tie event last Saturday.

The charity is raising money for a planned cancer centre which will offer chemotherapy, radiotherapy, palliative care, core therapies and complementary therapies in Basingstoke and north Hampshire. The centre, which is in the planning stages, will mean people no longer have to make the long journey to Southampton or Guildford to receive radiotherapy treatment for a period of up to six weeks at a time.

The dinner-dance was held at Audleys Wood Hotel, in Alton Road, Basingstoke, and more than 90 people enjoyed an excellent dinner and took part in a raffle before dancing the night away at a disco.

The distinguished guests included Basingstoke and Deane borough mayor Councillor Martin Biermann. Merv Rees, a consultant surgeon and clinical director of surgery at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, gave a talk about the importance of the proposed centre for the local community, Event organiser Angela Bennett told The Gazette: “It really feels that RadCan is now on the map. The event was a great success and it was absolutely worth all the hard work.

“Everyone really enjoyed themselves and the venue looked lovely. Seeing everyone in black-tie made it even more special.

“I and all the trustees feel a great sense of achievement at having raised this money towards a cancer treatment centre which is very much-needed.”