A CHARITY supporting blind and partially sighted people in Dorset is hosting a glamorous event to celebrate its 100th birthday.

Dorset Blind Association's Masquerade Ball takes place every year, but the 2018 event will be extra special to commemorate the anniversary.

The charity, which works with local people suffering from serious sight loss, is hosting the Centenary Ball at The Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth on Saturday, October 13, with more than 120 people expected to attend.

Dorset Blind Association invites local supporters, volunteers and their visually impaired members to join the evening's celebrations to indulge in the luxury of this black tie event whilst celebrating a fantastic one hundred years of service.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet the charity's patrons; Lord Julian and Lady Emma Fellowes, plus the President of Dorset Blind Association, James Weld of the Lulworth Estate.

Jonathan Holyhead, chief executive officer at Dorset Blind Association said: “We are really excited to be celebrating the milestone of our charity’s 100th birthday with our Centenary Ball and I am sure that everyone who joins us will have a wonderful evening.

"We are proud of all we have achieved for blind and partially sighted people throughout the county during those one hundred years, but also acutely aware that serious sight loss will still be a blight on too many people’s lives in Dorset for the foreseeable future, so we don’t just want people to help us to celebrate the past, but also to help ensure we are strong for the future and always able to help all the people who will still need us in the years ahead.”

Tickets for the ball, which includes a three-course meal; entertainment from Swing Unlimited Big Band; the Viva Las Vegas casino, plus a raffle and luxury auction, are priced £60 per person, available from Helena Sinclair on 01202 712864 or dbacentenaryball2018.eventbrite.co.uk.