COPS and robbers seemed to be enjoying each others company at an exclusive black tie event which took place at the weekend.

About 300 people attended the Mayor's Ball, in the Dolphin Centre, on Friday evening.

The cops and robbers-themed ball featured an auction and a raffle, with all proceeds going to Darlington Mayor Lee Vasey's two chosen charities, The Darlington and District Talking Newspaper and St Teresa's Hospice.

Councillor Vasey said: "It really was a wonderful night and everybody had a great time.

"I'm not exactly sure about how much money was raised, but we definitely did well on the night and any amount would really help the two charities enormously.

"Despite the number of people there and the grandeur of the room at the Dolphin Centre, which had been beautifully decorated, people kept saying how intimate the night felt.

"I think even the people who were working on the night had a brilliant time."