THE Mayor of Darlington hosted a spectacular event last night, as representatives of groups across the borough gathered together for a charity ball.

Councillor Ron Lewis was joined by dozens of residents involved in charities and organisations for the Mayor's Ball, a dinner and music event, with entertainment provided by Alpha 103.2 radio, the Dean Solomon Band and Cockerton Silver Band.

Proceeds from the ball, an annual event staged at the Dolphin Centre by the town's civic leader, will this year go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Students from Darlington College of Technology made an unusual and innovative contribution to the ball.

Using a variety of unconventional materials, including paper, plastics and foil, they created experimental ballgowns, which now grace the ballroom in the town's Dolphin Centre.

Students studying for the BTec National Diploma in fashion and clothing spent a month creating the dresses using the theme of ice, to echo the mayor's fire and ice theme for the event.

One of the students, Emily Carter, 18, said: "We experimented with several type of materials, melting and moulding plastics to get the right effect."