MORE than £16,000 was raised at a charity ball organised by a Darlington law firm.

Latimer Hinks, in Priestgate, has raised more than £70,000 in the eight charity balls it has held in recent years.

This year's was held at Wynyard Hall Hotel, near Billingham, with funds raised for St Teresa's Hospice and County Durham Community Foundation, among other charities.

Marketing partner Anne Elliott said: "The ball was a fantastic occasion and I would like to thank everyone who attended or donated to some very worthwhile causes.

"We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of businesses, clients, colleagues and friends who contributed towards the huge amount raised.

"Funds are critical to the work of St Teresa's Hospice and the foundation in providing care and support to local people and charitable causes in the area.

"We are also keen to help some smaller, less well known and less well supported charities.

"Since our first ball, we have managed to raise more than £70,000 for some fantastic causes.

"The fact that the 2014 ball was sold out months in advance shows how popular our charity balls have become and this year's event did not disappoint."