ROMSEY has played its part in the build-up to one of South Hampshire's biggest fund-raising nights of the year.

The town's renowned drama group RAODS is currently staging The Gondoliers at the Plaza and members were happy to help out by providing costumes for Leukaemia Busters, which is staging a Venetian Ball at Southampton Guildhall on June 11th.

It will be a black tie masquerade ball and Belinda Morton, of Leukaemia Busters, said: "We decided upon an Italian theme to celebrate the work being done by Italian and British scientists to find a cure for this deadly illness."

Because of that pioneering research, two drugs have now gone through phase one of their clinical trials.

Celebrities leading the call for support for the event are former England cricket captain David Gower and his wife Thorunn, who are patrons of the charity, and Saints' manager Harry Redknapp and his wife Sandra, who are fund-raising presidents.

Details are available from Belinda on 023 8063 6607 or by e-mail at contact@leukaemiabusters.co.uk.