The event, held at Loversall Hall on Friday, was hosted by DCDT committee member Diane Wright and her husband Colin and proved to be a night of fundraising fun as the Barnby Dun Players acted out an amusing drama in front of delighted diners.

"It went really well," said Diane, who is already planning a third successive event next year. "Everybody had a really good time.

"We raised £700 last year and I had hoped to raise £1,000 so to exceed it by that amount was very good.

"The ticket sales alone raised £700 and we held a raffle and a few games - people were very generous."

Meanwhile, Blaxton Village Hall will host a coffee and bingo evening tonight at 7pm in support of the appeal.

Tickets priced £2 are still available from hostess Dorothy Sedgewick on (01302) 770398 and include refreshments and five games of bingo. There will also be a bring and buy sale and a tombola.

The countdown also continues to this year's official charity dinner and auction at the Mansion House next Friday (*June 1).

And if you cannot be there in person, you can still take part in what promises to be a keenly contested fundraising auction with some fantastic donated lots up for grabs.

As well as the opportunity to have dinner for four at the Mansion House or claim two VIP tickets to Doncaster Rovers' glamorous pre-season friendly against Manchester United, new items include a golf day for four at Hickleton Golf Club, family tickets for the Dome and a bottle of House of Commons whisky.

To be part of the telephone auction contact the trust on (01302) 349177, write to them at 4 East Laith Gate, Doncaster, DN1 1HZ, or email paul.goodwin@doncastertoday.co.uk, providing details of the items you are interested in, your name and telephone number before noon on May 31.

Telephone bidders will be contacted at approximately 10pm on the night of the dinner at the commencement of the auction.

The trust would still like to hear from anyone able to donate a gift for auction.

Donations to this year's appeal can be made by visiting the trust at 4 East Laith Gate with cheques made payable to Doncaster Cancer Detection Trust.

Funds may also be paid directly into the campaign account: Co-operative Bank, account number 50326679.

Anyone organising a fundraising event should contact the Free Press for publicity on (01302) 347260.