CUSTOMERS of a village pub will be going back to the 80s to raise money for a Basingstoke charity.

The Swan in Sherborne St John is organising a fancy dress disco on June 21 for Ark Day – a 24-hour fundraising drive to generate money for Ark Cancer Centre Charity.

The event, on the longest day of the year, will give everyone in the borough the chance to make a big difference to the charity campaign, which is raising £5million to fund a much-needed NHS cancer treatment centre at Basingstoke hospital.

Staff at The Swan have responded to the appeal to take part, and are hoping their customers will join in with the fun by donning their best 80s clothes to dance the night away.

Carl Bontoft, manager of the pub, said: “There will be drink offers and promotions on offer on the night and we are raising funds and awareness of the Ark Cancer Centre Charity.

“It’s a local charity and it’s a very important charity to support. I believe our customers will get on board, there’s a lot of people talking about it within the village, and we also hope to get people from further afield.”

The event will be a way for those who have fundraised for Ark throughout the day to enjoy the evening, and continue to raise funds for the cause, with the party running from 8.30pm right through to midnight when Ark Day officially ends.

Those attending will be encouraged to make a donation, and there will also be a raffle to raise further funds.

Various events will take place on Ark Day including a sponsored fire-walk at Basingstoke Rugby Club, in Pack Lane, for which spaces are still available.

“People have the power to make a really big difference with a small donation on Ark Day,” said world-leading liver cancer surgeon Merv Rees, who is a trustee of Ark Cancer Centre Charity, and a driving force behind the cancer treatment centre project.

“Nearly 180,000 people live in Basingstoke and Deane. If everyone donates just £1 on Friday, June 21, then this will make a massive difference to Ark’s £5m campaign.”

For more information about Ark Day, or to register to take part in the fire walk, visit arkday.co.uk.