Guests who dined in style and danced the night away at a Venetian-themed masquerade ball have raised £16,000 for a Suffolk hospice.

The event, in Alpheton near Long Melford, was in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care, which needs to raise £11,000 every day to meet running costs.

The ball, at Alpheton Hall Barns, saw revellers enjoy fine food and wine donated by Chimneys Catering and musical entertainment courtesy of the string section of the Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra.

In addition, an auction held on the night raised almost half of the total, bringing in an impressive £7,000. One guest bid £5,000 for a tour of the UK’s biggest jeweller, Goldsmith’s in London.

Claire Webb, hospice major gifts manager, said: “The ball was one of the most stunning events the hospice has ever put on.

“The performances by the strings of Suffolk Philharmonic went down very well, with many guests dancing the waltz and polka and saying how wonderful the music was.

“Harpist Danielle Perrett and performers from the Theatre Royal were also very popular.

“I’d like to thank Chimneys Catering and Alpheton Hall Barns for their support and helping us to raise such a fantastic sum for the hospice.”

St Nicholas Hospice Care looks after people with terminal and life-shortening illnesses, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and the advanced stages of heart and lung disease.

It provides care and support throughout west Suffolk and Thetford, either at the hospice premises in Bury St Edmunds, or via support from the community hospice team. Visit www.stnicholashospicecare.org.uk for more information.