THE Mayor of Rossendale is hoping to give her charity crusade a final push at the annual ball later this month.

Coun Eileen Kershaw is hoping the ball will boost the £6,000 she has already raised for her chosen charities through the £10,000 barrier.

The event is a sell-out and around 300 people will pack into St Mary's Chambers, Rawtenstall on Friday, May 21.

As well as live bands and floor-filling music, there will be an auction, raffle, and stand-up bingo with most prizes donated by local businesses in the Valley. Original paintings by Rochdale's Peter Sutcliffe and Edenfield's Albert Sixsmith will be among prizes donated by The Ceaders Health and Beauty Centre. Other prizes will include TVs and DVD players.

Councillor Kershaw is donating the cash raised during her mayoral year to unsung heroes in the valley. She said: "I chose to raise money for small groups in the Valley which often get forgotten and don't get any financial support, such as the boys bowling club at Haslingden and the ATC group.

"Groups like this often struggle on without much backing but provide great services for people in Rossendale. I am hoping the final total will be one to be proud of and one that will make a significant difference to these small yet significant groups."