IT was one of Franco Fantini’s last requests to give the people of Southampton a flamboyant and fun-filled Italian evening in his memory to raise money for the two cancer charities close to his heart.

Now tickets are on sale as La Margherita will host its first charity event in memory of their dear friend Franco who is the restaurateur who brought the true taste of Italy to Southampton, where he opened the restaurant in 1973 first in Commercial Road then at Town Quay.

The wine, dine and dance black tie charity event will take place on Thursday evening exactly how the wellknown, colourful character planned it to be before cancer took his life in February last year at the age of 71.

The event, in collaboration with Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, will consist of a traditional Italian buffet, live entertainment, a raffle and an auction.

Franco’s business partner Nikos Raftopoulos, said everyone is invited to celebrate the life of the muchloved man with exactly the kind of big glamorous party he would have enjoyed for the charities he hoped to raise funds for.

He said: “We have done some private events but this is the first public event and anyone can come along to remember Franco.

“Franco is the pioneer of Southampton. He started it all. For 37 years he served the community so this event is important for us all to support him.

“Franco, he liked sophistication, good food and classical music. He was very classy and of course this is what the evening will be like.”

The evening full of glamour will take place from 7.30pm.

To get tickets for the event, which cost £27.50 per person, call La Margherita on 023 8033 3390.