THERE is an excuse to wear an extra glamorous gown at this year's Ipswich and Suffolk Press Ball after a dress shop promised to make a donation towards the fund raising event for every frock sold.

THERE is an excuse to wear an extra glamorous gown at this year's Ipswich and Suffolk Press Ball after a dress shop promised to make a donation towards the fund raising event for every frock sold.

Ipswich dress shop Beautiful Designs has promised to hand over ten per cent of every dress sold to ball-goers to Disability Care Enterprise (DCE), the Press Ball's chosen charity.

Jemma Manhood, co-owner of Beautiful Designs, based in Norwich Road, said her business was proud to support the event.

She continued: “My sister and I read about the ball in the paper and we both thought it was a great idea.

“It's a very worthy cause to support and we are happy to help.”

This year's theme is an Ice Ball and will be held at The Hotel Elizabeth, Copdock, on June 22.

Former Spandau Ballet star, Tony Hadley, will be providing the entertainment, while auctions with fantastic prizes will be held to raise as much money as possible for DCE.

DCE provides specialist equipment for disabled people across the county.

At last year's ball, an amazing £40,000 was raised. Since its launch in 1997, the press ball has raised £257,000.

Carolyne Morey, DCE project director, said: “Offers such as this help to make the press ball the success it is.

“With the support of the community, the 2007 ball can be the best yet.”

Ipswich firm Call Connection has generously agreed to sponsor the glittering event.

Graeme Kalbraier, managing director of Call Connection, said: “It is the generosity of people like Jemma that make the press Ball such a fantastic event.”

Star editor Nigel Pickover added: “The press ball will be a wonderful evening for a wonderful cause.”

Has DCE helped you or you family? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.

All tickets for the ball are now sold out