GET your glad rags on and your dancing shoes out, as the announcement is made today for the next sunflower ball to raise thousands for St Leonard's Hospice.

It follows the successful Millennium Sunflower Ball last summer, which raised £27,000 for the hospice.

But the latest ball has an added twist - guests have to wear masks.

St Leonard's Hospice has announced today that the 2002 Sunflower Masquerade Ball is set to take place at York Racecourse on Saturday, May 25.

Organisers are hoping that this event will raise even more for the care of patients in

York's hospice.

The main band will be the Casablanca Boys, and among others there will be a casino, a 'restaurant tree' offering vouchers from restaurants and hotels, and a sumptuous banquet.

Helen Williams, chair of the organising committee, said: "We held the first Sunflower Ball at Escrick in 1998 and were subsequently asked to organise the Millennium Sunflower Ball at York Racecourse for the appeal.

"Since then everyone has been asking us for another, so this is it! It will be a fantastic event and companies and groups of friends should book their tables early. We also hope people will come forward with offers of help."

Tickets for next year's ball are £65 a head on tables of ten or 12. For tickets and more information - or if you can offer sponsorship, vouchers for the restaurant tree, or help with providing flowers, please ring the special telephone number on 01132 986 159.

Updated: 09:11 Wednesday, August 15, 2001