The Mayor of Dudley has announced the date of the annual civic ball which this year will raise funds for people with autism as well as the armed forces

The ball will take place on March 27 at the Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill. A bucks fizz reception will be at 7.15pm followed by a three course meal, coffee and mints.

Entertainment will feature dancing to the Ian Jones disco and will include appearances by Chris Eaton, a singer/songwriter for artists such as Sir Cliff Richard and Sheena Easton.

Also appearing will be singing sisters Beth and Ellie Sherburn, from Gornal, near Dudley.

The dress code is a dinner jacket/lounge suit for the men and long or short cocktail dresses for women.

Tickets for the event cost £32 and are available from the Mayor’s secretary, Christine Skelding, on 01384 815211 or by email to christine.skelding@dudley.gov.uk before March 11.

Proceeds will go to the No Limits Community Project, which was previously known as Dudley Autistic Resource Team.

The charity offers support to people across the borough who suffer from autism, including Asperger’s Syndrome.

The second charity is entitled Thank You and is made up of the five armed forces charities. The five are the Royal British Legion, the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, the Army Benevolent fund, the Royal Naval Benevolent Fund and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

All of these charities are dedicated to helping ex-servicemen through illness, disability or personal misfortune.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Ray Burston, said: “I feel confident I can promise you a happy and enjoyable evening and very much hope to have the pleasure of your company.”