People boogied to songs from different eras at a party and picnic in Patney for the Gazette’s Help for Heroes appeal.

Bruce Hopkins, the owner of Devizes Fine Kitchens, organised the event in his garden on Saturday night and said he hoped to raise about £2,000.

The event was sold out with 250 people attending. They brought chairs, tables and picnics.

Mr Hopkins, Helen Derbyshire, of Devizes, and 16-year-old twins Christie and Gina Strong from Burbage, were the performers.

The first half featured songs from shows and films such as Chess, Evita, Fame and Grease.

The second half featured music from the 1960s to the present day ranging from songs by Chubby Checker to Amy Winehouse. The evening finished with a fireworks display.

Mr Hopkins said: “It was a really good party atmosphere.

“People were dancing throughout the second half. There were people in their 60s or 70s who were dancing to Let’s Twist Again.

“The programme we chose had songs in it that people would know and be comfortable with. The garden rocked literally and those who attended were contributing towards an excellent charity.”

Mr Hopkins, whose firm sponsored the event, added: “Help for Heroes is a great charity and the money raised by the Gazette is going to be spent in Tidworth. So many people know people who have served in Afghanistan and we feel we are contributing something to make their recovery a bit easier.

“For a lot of the servicemen and women their injuries will affect them for the rest of their life.”