LOCAL businesses from across East Lancashire will be turning out in force to what promises to be a glittering charity event on June 18.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is holding a Ruby Ball to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, and the many regional companies who support the foundation are invited to attend the dinner dance at The Clarion Hotel in Langho - as long as they comply with the strict ruby and black tie dress code!

The event - organised by Symon and Samantha Dickinson, whose three-year-old daughter Amelia has Cystic Fibrosis - will commemorate four decades of the charity's hard work in raising funds for continuing research into Cystic Fibrosis.

The genetic condition effects 7,500 people in the UK and is the nation's most common life-threatening inherited disease, but scientists now believe they are close to finding a cure.

The support provided by local businesses plays a crucial part in funding the research, and the Ruby Ball is a way of thanking everybody for their help, while raising money for the future.

Examples of local help include Northcote Manor and Greyhound Ford in Accrington, which contributed by donating the raffle prizes. And John Lancaster, founder of the Clitheroe-based Ultraframe recently donated £1,000 to the charity.

The Ruby Ball is hoping to raise £3,500 with an auction where guests can bid for select items including jewellery, perfume and beauty products from Lancome and Penhaligons, or even reading materials supplied by Virgin Books.

The CF Trust is the only national charity dedicated to helping sufferers and their families, and this year has a host of famous patrons, including TV stars Jenny Agutter and Kevin Morley, and high profile lawyer Nancy Dell'Olio.