Two events in aid of Age Concern Wiltshire’s Big 60 Appeal raised nearly £3,500 on Saturday night.

The charity’s own event, a dinner and auction at Marlborough Golf Club, raised around £3,000 with 63 people attending.

They bid on a wide range of items, from a Hermes bracelet and a Mulberry handbag to a signed photo of footballer Michael Owen.

Auctioneer Alan Aldridge pushed the sale along and encouraged those present to dig into their pockets to support the charity.

Organiser Belinda Fowler said: “We would like to thank the many other individuals and businesses who generously donated lots to the auction. Their support was crucial to the success of the event and the money raised will help us make a real difference to the lives of older people in Wiltshire.”

Meanwhile, at Devizes Conservative Club on Saturday night, fundraiser Carol Webb raised £475 for Age Concern with a dance featuring the London-based rock ’n’ roll band The Flames.

In Chippenham students on the Entry to Employment (E2E) course at Wiltshire College raised £155 for the appeal at a coffee morning last week.

Training co-ordinator Judy Buchanan said: “The E2E learners have risen to this challenge, working as part of a team. It’s helped them build on their confidence skills.”