A Bollywood inspired ball helped raise just over £4,000 for charity.

People flocked to Sopwell Manor, in Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, to help support Youth Talk, which offers counselling for 13 to 25-year-olds.

The event was held by the Mayor of St Albans Mohammed Iqbal Zia.

Cllr Zia said: “I want to thank everyone who supported the annual Civic Ball and helped raise funds for Youth Talk, my mayoral charity for the year. Youth Talk works tirelessly to help young people with social, emotional and educational needs by providing a much-needed confidential counselling and support service.”

More than 185 people attended the Asian-inspired evening, and songs were performed by Hertfordshire-based band Co Jones.

A raffle, tombola and silent auction were held during the evening to help raise funds for the

Youth Talk’s chief executive, Trevor Fromant, said: “We are grateful to everyone who came to the Mayor’s Civic Ball, helping to raise funds for our small, local charity. The charity provides a much-valued counselling service for young people who are distressed and in need of support emotionally. We are dependent on grants, the generosity of donors and proceeds from fund-raising activities like the Civic Ball to deliver this service.”