A GROUP of Trowbridge mothers have hit out at critics who said the fundraising bingo night they organised was a shambles.

The Friends Of Holbrook School held a Grand Bingo Night in the Civic Hall on November 24, but were overwhelmed when more than 400 people turned up. The event raised more than £2,000 for school funds.

A letter from J Attwell which appeared in the Wiltshire Times last week said the evening was chaotic.

Heather Chalmers, who is one the Friends, said: "I was gutted when I read the letter. We are six mums who worked very hard to raise money for the school. We took more than £3,000 on the night which left us with more than £2,000 for the school.

"We had a tombola with 200 prizes and by the time everybody came in there were three prizes left. We had 2,500 raffle tickets. What can you do for these people?

"That letter was from one person out of 400 who came. I thought we did really well. It was like a slap in the face."

She said the main problem was the hold up at the doors.

Mrs Chalmers said: "We weren't prepared to keep piling people in because of the fire regulations and we had to wait for the people from the Civic Hall who were absolutely brilliant."

Money raised by the parents is being used to buy games equipment and things to help in cookery lessons.

Headteacher Christine Wilmott, who started at the school in September, said she was delighted with the support from the parents.

She said: "It was a hugely successful event and great fun.

"The night raised a considerable amount for the school which will benefit all the children.

"As with most schools we have not got a large committee, but they worked very hard and generated a huge amount of support. We were delighted."

The success has highlighted the need for leisure outlets in the town and Mrs Chalmers said there was a clear need for a bingo hall.

She said: "People in Trowbridge want bingo. We do it every year, but you could do it once a week and I think people would go.

"Youngsters right the way up to grannies enjoy it."

Her view is shared by other groups in the town. Bingo caller Ken Weston takes charge of the balls at the Trowbridge Older People's Sundays, which the town council holds once a month in the Civic Hall.

Mr Weston, who also called three days a week at the TA club in Trowbridge before it closed, said: "I really enjoy it, but hate playing. Bingo is very popular and so many clubs do it now.

"You have got to be 18 to play because of the strict gaming act, but if someone had a hall up and running it would be very very popular."

He said the last commercial bingo hall run in Trowbridge was at the old picture palace where Knees is now.