It's a cracker! Disadvantaged children across the South West can enjoy a brighter future after a glittering Variety Club ball at the weekend.

With veteran comic Frank Carson as special guest – and providing plenty of laughs – around £8,000 was raised through an auction, raffle and other events.

Although there were plenty of laughs, there was also a serious side to the evening.

A moving film showing some of the children helped by the Variety Club was shown and guests were reminded that every penny raised in the South West stays in the South West.

The sell-out ball, held at the Tortworth Court Four Pillars Hotel near Wotton-under-Edge, was part of the Variety Club's 60th anniversary of helping young people.

Among the auction prizes were a guitar signed by Bee Gees guitarist Robin Gibb, which fetched nearly £1,000, and a luxury three-night stay at Sandbanks in Dorset, including use of an Aston Martin, which was snapped up for £2,000.

Around 250 guests enjoyed the swinging sounds of Cass Caswell and his big band, who took the audience on a musical journey from the 1920s to modern music.

But it was Frank Carson who proved the real highlight, delighting everyone with his one-liners.

Derek Cleverdon, chairman of the Variety Club South West, said: "We are delighted. This money will help some of the most disadvantaged local children in the region."