BELLS Hotel played host for the first ever Coleford Mayor's charity dinner on Saturday.

Among the mayors who joined the 101 guests were mayors Bob Berryman (Lydney), Roger Beard (Newent), Max Coborn (Cinderford), Sue Merrikin (Coleford) and Alec Leathwood (Usk) as well as chair of the district council Norman Stephens.

Also in attendance was the former Ross-on-Wye mayor David Ravenscroft, John Latham from Bewdley, near Kidderminster, and district and county councillors.

After a long day re-enacting the Battle of Coleford, The Sealed Knots retreated to the hotel and golf course in Coleford for a well-deserved dinner.

The event, which was raising money for the charity Gloucestershire Young Carers, raised in excess of £1,300 and a young Forest carer spoke about the difficulty she has experienced caring for a family member.

Coleford Town Mayor Sue Merrikin said: "The evening was a huge success and I must thank all the businesses and traders for their wonderful support and help with raffle prizes – without them we wouldn't have made £300 alone on the raffle.

"The proceeds will be used for a day trip for young carers. I hope this charity dinner will become an annual event."