THOUSANDS of pounds were raised for charity at the Mayor of Darlington's ball, held at the Dolphin Centre.

All proceeds from Friday night's ball will go to charities chosen by the mayor, Councillor Dorothy Long.

Coun Long wore a dress designed for the occasion by Alison Bolton, a student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College. Students on the BTEC Diploma in foundation studies and second-year A-level art and design courses at the college were challenged to create a ball gown on a budget of £10. Thirty-two students took part in the challenge.