A VINYL enthusiast who has been collecting records since he was a child has supplied 1950s music and memorabilia for the official Independence Day celebrations in London - attended by a host of top celebrities.

Retired policeman Gary Lewis, who runs Betterdaze record and juke box shop in Northallerton, said the event, hosted by the US Ambassador Matthew Barzun, was the most prestigious he has been involved with.

The Independence Day Ball was attended by 3,000 guests including London Mayor Boris Johnson, actor Benedict Cumberbatch and his director wife Sophie Hunter, presenter Philip Schofield, singer Katherine Jenkins and Duran Duran.

Mr Lewis said: “I think they approached me because of my reputation and we do cater for a lot of events in the South.

“We are the leading independent vinyl and juke box retailers in the UK and was pleased to be able to supply the musical entertainment."

He took an authentic juke box and provided tunes from his collection of original 50s vinyl and helped with the 1950s American theme by providing memorabilia, record sleeves, fashion items and posters.

He also advised on decor for the evening - a 1950s-style diner with red leather seating, waitresses on roller skates and the juke box as the centrepiece - at the ambassadorial residence of Winfield House in Regent's Park on Saturday night.

Betterdaze, in Zetland Street, Northallerton, has more than 35,000 records in stock ranging in price from 50p to £600.

“I’m constantly buying new stock and can cater to any era, and we also have lots of original items including clothing worn by artists while on tour.

"From their first contact with us, the embassy were thrilled to have found a company which had everything they were looking for - the experience to create the design of the themed area, the collection of original 1950s juke boxes and memorabilia, and most of all the largest collection of original records from the era.

“As a small business owner from North Yorkshire it was a great honour to be asked to provide this service to the Ambassador, who clearly recognises how great it is to have juke boxes and vinyl as the soundtrack to the party.”

Betterdaze is hosting a vinyl record fair, sponsored by Richer Sounds, at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday, July 11 from 9.30am, which will include a stall from Music V Cancer charity.