A SWINDON security firm is planning a charity ball to help raise cash for town small charities.

Blick UK Limited in Bramble Road is holding a formal black-tie ball on Friday August 29 at the De Vere Hotel in Whitehill Way.

All cash raised will go to the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation - an independent charitable trust that was established in 1991 to distribute grants to a range of projects across the county.

Kate Hunter, development director for the community trust, says the involvement of companies like Blick UK is crucial.

She said: "We work together with people and companies who want to give money to small local charities.

"We collect the money and then dish it out to worthy projects. We are particularly interested in giving assistance to projects that are not affiliated to the big national charities.

"We have strong links with some of the most deprived areas of Swindon and we would be happy to help projects there.

"There is some excellent work going on in these areas," Ms Hunter said.

Each year the foundation aims to allocate more than £250,000 to the voluntary projects.

Liza Bewick, divisional director of Blick UK, is predicting a successful evening.

"This is the first ball that we have run - but we are hoping to make it annual. It is going to be a fantastic night," she said.

There will be lots on offer including a charity auction and a raffle. The Locomotion band will be providing the music.

The price for the event is £450 for a table of 10 or £50 a person and starts at 7.30pm. The firm hopes to sell a minimum of 150. For tickets or to donate an item for auction call Swindon 692401