The glittering annual event, held at the Spa for the first time, is in memory of Bridlington youngster Katie Walker who died of cancer last year.

Over 200 guests attended the ball on Saturday night, raising around £2,500 for the Katie Walker Cancer Trust fund.

Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee initially said that they were unable to attend as their hectic panto schedules meant that Saturday was the only night they had free to enjoy a meal out with their families before Christmas.

However, they delighted ball guests by interrupting their own family meal and dashing to the Spa to draw the raffle before returning to their restaurant.

"The fact that they came really made the night for a lot of people," said Katie's mum and ball organiser Julie Walker, "And to think that they left half-way through their own private meal made their appearance even more special.

"The whole evening was brilliant and the Spa was absolutely fantastic – from the venue, to the people, to the service," she said.

"Everything just went really well and we're already looking forward to doing it all again next year – but hopefully even bigger!"

Jo Clarke, sales and customer services manager at the Spa said: "Saturday's ball was a lovely start to Christmas and a success from beginning to end.

"The number of guests was up on last year thanks to the change of venue and we hope to repeat the event at The Spa on a yearly basis.

"Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee drawing the raffle, helped to make even more money for a very worthy cause."

The money raised will be put towards the cost of bringing together experts from around the world to discuss cancer research at a consensus next year.