A GLAMOUROUS gala ball is being held in Bournemouth to mark the 30th anniversary of Childline.

The Hilton hotel in Bournemouth will host the fundraising evening on Saturday, October 8, which will include the chance to look back on three decades of the NSPCC’s life-changing service.

Guests can expect a drinks reception followed by a three-course dinner, as well as live music, dancing, a raffle, and an auction.

The latter will feature prizes such as the use of a Bentley for the day, courtesy of Bentley Hampshire, and a range of other treats from local companies including Sunseeker and Merlin.

Meanwhile, guest speaker on the night will be the NSPCC supporter and Coronation Street legend Wendi Peters who played Cilla Battersby-Brown in Britain’s longest-running soap.

Proceedings will get underway at 6.30pm and come to a close at 1am. The dress code is ‘black tie and sparkle’.

Sarah Wilton, chair of the Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset branch of NSPCC fundraising, is organising the event with fellow supporter Hazel Boyle.

She said: “We are very excited to be bringing this event to Bournemouth and hope members of the public will join us for a night to remember.

“2016 is such an important year for ChildLine, and we know that Bournemouth will want to make its own contribution so this invaluable service can continue to be there for children and young people for many more anniversaries to come.

“I would urge anyone looking for a fun night out with fabulous food and entertainment to come along. We still have tickets left so book early to avoid disappointment.”

Dame Esther Rantzen founded the free 24/7 counselling service for children in 1986, and it has been listening to children talk about any problems they are facing ever since.

The most common issues discussed today on Childline are family relationships, low self-esteem and unhappiness, abuse, bullying and online bullying, and self-harm.

Caroline Morgan, NSPCC fundraising manager for Bournemouth, added: “This promises to be an absolutely fantastic evening, and I would like to thank Sarah, Hazel and everyone else who has made this possible.

“Ninety per cent of NSPCC funding comes from donations, so without fundraising events like these, we would no longer be able to provide vital support services like Childline, allowing us to continue our fight for every childhood.

“Please join us for what is sure to be a brilliant party for a worthy cause.”

Tickets are £75 per head. To book, email southwestappeals@nspcc.org.uk.