ONE of the biggest events in Darwen's history is gearing up for a booty bonanza.

The town has gone competition crazy as donations for the Darwen Superscan grand prize draw flood in.

And the event has become so large organisers now plan to hold it in conjunction with the town's popular Darren Day celebrations.

Local shopkeepers, pub landlords and even residents are rushing to come up with the goods to help raise £10,000 for the appeal draw.

But, with a target of 500 prizes, there's still room for more gifts. Organiser Ian Ashton, chairman of the Darwen Superscan Appeal, is hoping more businesses, such as travel agents and big-name stores, will get involved.

He said: "We don't mind what the donation is - it can be anything at all. There will be hundreds of prizes so there is plenty of room for more contributions. Every prize we have will encourage more people to take part and raise extra cash for the appeal."

Local artist Adrian Walsh has joined to charity event by donating one of his paintings of Darwen, worth more than £400.

Anyone wishing to have their prizes included on tickets should contact Mr Ashton no later than September 6. The draw will take place on December 13.

Darwen Superscan Appeal has already raised more than £32,000 towards their target of nearly £600,000.

It is hoped that the life-saving Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, which will be housed at Blackburn Infirmary, can be ordered in time for Christmas.

Anyone interested in supporting the draw should contact Mr Ashton on 703666 or phone the Superscan Appeal office on 687146.

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