MORE than £6,000 was raised at the ball organised by Theatr Ffynnon at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny.

Theatr Ffynnon is the only theatre company in Wales dedicated solely to people with learning disabilities.

It holds regular workshops in Raglan, Abertillery and Chepstow, with performances at the Melville Theatre in Abergavenny and other venues, including the National Assembly's new building in Cardiff.

More than 100 guests from local and national businesses and arts organisations were welcomed by chairman Denise Embrey. Chris Durnall, the group's artistic director outlined their work and guest speaker Karen Robson, Welsh Woman of the Year, praised the work of the theatre group.

The raffle was drawn by junior Welsh Woman of the Year winner Zowie Purves, followed by an auction of lots donated by supporters.

Vice chairman Gregg Taylor said: "We receive no core funding and depend entirely on grants and fund raising so the money raised will contribute to our work for the coming year."

He was kept busy all evening, as he and his band provided lively dance music.

Theatr Ffynnon thanked the president of Abergavenny Rotary Club Clive Howells and his wife Carol, Brian and Barbara Shackleton, chairman of Glamorgan Cricket Club Paul Russell, Kamma Foulkes, Waitrose, Hamish Sandison, David Slack, Mike Ruddock, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Gwent Theatre and the Angel Hotel for their support.