AN ANNUAL charity ball held for Maidstone business by the Chamber of Commerce has raised more than £4,000 for the Demelza House children's hospice at Bobbing.

Hosted by Maidstone Mayor, Cllr Paulina Stockell, £3,720 was raised through a charity auction and a tombola, and a further £420 by Planet Business Supplies, of Maidstone.

The company raised cash by recycling inkjet cartridges and donated the same amount to the Mayor's other nominated charity, the Children's Ambulance Fund.

Bill Alder, chief executive of the Maidstone and Mid-Kent Chamber of Commerce said the highlight of the night was the entertainment - a show of latin dance by members of the Margaret Preedy Dance Studio, in Tonbridge Road.

He said: "All of the dancers were under eight years old but they put on an amazing show. I think it was the icing on the cake of a fantastic night for most people, especially as we were supporting a children's charity."

He added: "The main sponsor of the event was Kent Photocopier Services and I would like to thank them for making it possible."