PARTYING was not the only reason why hundreds of Bury College students danced the night away at the Sol Viva nightclub.

More than £1,000 was raised for the Christies Against Cancer appeal as a result of an end of year party planned and hosted by second year students on the GNVQ advanced leisure and tourism course.

They spent 12 weeks organising the fund-raising event as part of a practical "event management" task and around 250 students last month packed into the Rochdale Road venue, which bosses provided free of charge.

Tutor Sean O'Henly said it was the third year students had raised a commendable sum for charity.

He is pictured (left) presenting a cheque for £1,039 to Ceri Johnson (right), regional appeals officer for Christie Hospital, as students look on.

Sean said: "Event management is part of the course and the students performed magnificently throughout the project.

"The response from the college community reflects the depth of feeling for the tremendous work carried out by Christies Hospital in the North West," he said.