A STAR-STUDDED gala ball at The Mere at Knutsford smashed its £150,000 fundraising target for Oxfam, raising more than £200,000 on the night.

The ball was raising money for Oxfam's work fighting poverty in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Actors Jorgie Porter, Shobna Gulati and Bhashker Patel joined more than 500 guests from the north west for Rags to Riches, a gala ball, hosted by Oxfam Patron Nighat Awan, with the initial aim to raise £150,000 for Oxfam's lifesaving work.

The international charity is working extensively across the South Asian region - it helps communities fight domestic violence in India, access clean water and sanitation in Pakistan and fight against gender based violence and inequality in Bangladesh.

Right now Oxfam is also providing much-needed emergency relief to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

Nighat said: “This is a truly fantastic result, and it has only been possible thanks to the incredible generosity of all our guests, organisers and supporters.

“What has been raised for Oxfam could pay for enough flood shelters to help more than 4,000 families and their livestock in an emergency situation.

“These funds are really going to make a difference to people's lives in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Thank you on behalf of Oxfam.”

Guests were delighted by theatre and musical performances from British soul group Imagination, ‘Queen of Rave’ Rozalla, and Ex Sweet Sensation and Boogie Wonderland star Ricardo Patrick, who also co-presented the evening with actor and presenter Talina Naviede.

The evening included a fashion show organised by Manchester College students and tutors in collaboration with Oxfam’s Online Shop and Oxfam textile recycling and sorting centre, Wastesaver.

The catwalk featured only items donated to Oxfam which were upcycled and redesigned by Manchester’s very own budding designers.