IT was a time to celebrate this weekend for cardiac charity Wessex Heart-beat, as sparklers lit to celebrate its sixth anniversary ball.

Stars from the worlds of sport, showbiz and entertainment turned out in force to raise thousands of pounds for Heartbeat's millennium project.

The project will see massive investment in regenerating the children's cardiac ward at Southamp-ton General Hospital. And the hundreds of partygoers who attended the ball, held at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, dug deep in their pockets to help.

It is expected this ball will be the highest-netting fundraiser of the charity's history. Last year those who attended the charity's fifth anniversary ball raised more than £35,000.

It is expected that this year records will be topped.

Chief executive of the charity Alan Blair said he was astounded by the kind-hearted generosity of Heartbeat supporters.

"People just get more and more generous - it chokes me to think that all the people here at this ball work so hard to keep the charity alive.

"Every time we hold a ball I am astounded by the amount of money we raise. Each year the total goes up and up and all I'm hoping is that our friends will continue to support us for the millennium project's huge undertaking.''

Among the guests at Friday's extravaganza were Robin and Kathy Smith, the Hampshire cricket captain and his wife, both of whom are "best friends'' of Wessex Heartbeat.

The pair managed to pull off an amazing variety concert earlier this year bringing names including Jim Davidson, Jane MacDonald and Hale and Pace to the Mayflower Theatre's stage.

Joining them in the Mayflower Suite of the De Vere were former Saints and England supremo Micky Channon and Jimmy Case, Generation Game star Melanie Stace, Southampton comedian Mike Osman plus a host of other celebrities too numerous to mention. Former Saints player Mick Channon, now a racehorse trainer, came to the event fresh from his new stables near Newbury.

He said: "It is always a pleasure to be invited to events of this calibre and it is great to be able to put your hand in your pocket and help those who need it most.''

Hampshire's Melanie Stace, a keen supporter of the charity said: "It is always a pleasure working with Alan and his team - they do such great work for the Wessex Cardiac Unit and it is all I can do to offer my support whenever it's needed.''

This year's ball had the theme Time, in line with the forthcoming millennium celebrations, and florists Heaven Scent of Woolston, Southampton, did an amazing job of decorating the hotel suite.

A grand auction, silent auction and fun and games at the tables, raised thousands on the night.

One lucky bidder Mike Lawton, of Lawton Communications, Southampton, walked away with a new, unusual Mercedes Smart car for a steal at £9,250!

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