FUNDS raised at the Mayor of Bedale’s annual masquerade ball were given out to the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance by Mayor Amanda Coates.

More than £1,000 was raised at the event with £500 going to each of the charities, which rely on donations and grants to provide their services 365 days a year.

Coun Coates said: "I want to thank everyone who helped with the ball, the sponsors and supporters without whom it wouldn’t be possible. It was a really enjoyable event and it is so important that we can give this money to reward these groups who make such a huge contribution to the community.

“Now we’re looking forward to the next ball, although we’re not sure when that will be, we may be taking a bit of a rest in the meantime.”

Ian Wood, of Swaledale Mountain Rescue, said: "We have to raise £25,000 a year to keep the service going so this is a good start. We had 36 call outs in 2013 and one so far this year, I believe we provide a vital service and it’s all done by volunteers.”

Helen Gowan of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, added: "We’re really grateful for this donation, we need £9,990 a day to keep the ambulances in the air so it’s donations like this that help us to carry on.”