THE annual dinner and cabaret held by the Mayor of Bolton is so popular that this year's event will be held over two nights.

The present Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, was so pleased with the recent charity Ball to celebrate the town's 750th anniversary, that he wanted to build on the success.

In March, the dinner and cabaret will be held on Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th at the Town Hall.

And topping the bill will be an Abba tribute band.

The Mayor said: "The evening is always popular and people come back every year. So this year we thought we would spread it over two nights. We are expecting 300 on each night. By doing it this way we can open the event up to more people, instead of the few hundred in previous years. And it is all in a good cause as the proceeds goes to the Mayor's Coronary Care Appeal."

The Thursday event will be at a lesser price of £20 per ticket, but will include exactly the same five-course meal and entertainment as the Friday event.

The Friday evening will be identical and is mainly for businesses and corporate entertaining, and there are still a few tickets left at £25 each.

The Festival Hall and Banqueting Hall will be used for dining, with the Albert Hall turned over to dancing for the evening.

Tickets are available from the Mayor's office at the Town Hall. Dress is optional, with lounge suits for men.