FARMERS in Broughton have danced the night away, and raised thousands of pounds in the process for several charities.

Organisers of village’s annual charity dance, held in January, have completed counting, with a grand total of £16,000 being collected.

The sum will be split between 11 different cancer charities, including many local causes.

The dance, which has been running since 1965, has raised £252,262 over the last 53 years. The event first kicked off with just a few farmers in Peeblesshire who donated the leftover drinks kitty at the end of the night to charity, and things have grown from there.

Each year, the dance includes a raffle and auction, with a huge variety of goods going under the hammer. Secretary Mary Dunlop told us: “Thanks to the huge generosity of both local and national businesses who support this event, the generosity never ceases to amaze. This year’s highlights included Gin and Prosecco tea at Kilbucho, half a pig for the freezer, 130hp case tractor five day hire self-drive, vehicle service, and Scotch mule ewe with twin lambs at foot.”

The charities supported are; Marie Curie Scottish Borders, The Margaret Kerr Unit at Borders General Hospital in Melrose, St Columba’s Hospice in Edinburgh, St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie, Marie Curie Hospice in Edinburgh, CHAS Balloch, CHAS Kinross, Macmillan Cancer Support, Maggie’s Centre at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust in Wishaw and the Beatson Cancer Charity in Glasgow.