TEESDALE farmers swapped their wellies for tuxedos and ball gowns to raise more than £3,000 for charity after holding their annual ball.

That’s after the Rokeby Farmers dedicated their 70th annual ball to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The glitzy event was held at The Morritt Arms, in Great Bridge, Barnard Castle, on January 30 and more than 200 farmers and their families attended.

On March 3, the ball committee returned to the hotel and spa to hand over a cheque for £3,200 to the charity’s regional fundraising manager, Louise Miles.

Committee member, Simon Hare, said: “The amount is really good and we are pleased with how it went.

“It was quite different doing it for a charity but because it was our 70th ball it was to celebrate that and a chance to raise some money for a good cause.”

Ms Miles said the charity was very grateful to the farmers and that the money would help local youngsters fight the disease and raise awareness of it.

“It’s absolutely amazing what they have managed to raise,” she said.

“It’s really valuable to have supporters like the Rokeby Farmers because for every young person that we can support there’s another one we can’t so it gets us nearer to our goal of being able to help every young person.”