YOUNG sports stars in Peebles have ten thousand reasons to smile after guests at last Saturday’s Odd Shaped Ball set a new fundraising record for the event.

Another sell-out crowd of 222 guests gathered in the ballroom at Peebles Hydro for the annual black tie celebration.

And when the money was counted the following morning, an amazing total of £10,015 was generated for junior sport in Peebles.

This takes the total amount raised from the Odd Shaped Ball’s six-year history to more than £36,500 with a number of local sports clubs’ junior sections benefitting.

Guests were treated to ‘The Greatest Show’ opening dance display by young members of the Fiona Henderson School of Dance, while live band The Apollos provided the entertainment later in the evening for the packed dancefloor.

Event organiser Ross Duncan told the Peeblesshire News: “We’d like to thank everyone who attended this year’s Odd Shaped Ball at Peebles Hydro and we’re once again stunned by the generosity of our guests on the night.

"Mark and I set ourselves the target of matching last year’s total, so to break through the ten thousand pounds barrier is beyond our expectations.

“Peebles has a proud reputation for developing sport at the grass roots level and the money raised this year will enable us to support even more good sporting causes across a number of different clubs as well as local schools for the first time.”

Some fantastic prizes were up for grabs in the auction and prize draw raffle, including a week’s holiday in a luxury Cape Town waterfront apartment, a private pizza party, a four-ball at the world famous Royal Dornoch golf links and a British Lions framed shirt signed by Scotland rugby hero Stuart Hogg.

Co-host and auctioneer Mark Thomson added: “We really appreciate the support we get from local sponsors and we had some great prizes on offer this year which allowed us to increase the money raised.

"Everyone had a great night and the feedback we get inspires us to do it again every year.

"We’re all very passionate about sport and ensuring youngsters in Peebles get the opportunity to take part in sport, compete and represent the town.”

Prize donors included Cocoa Black, Evolution Bottling & Packaging Solutions, Forsyth’s of Peebles, The Rugby Partnership, Glasgow Rocks Basketball, Peebles Hydro, Wood Oven Wonders, Belhaven Brewery, Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club, Julie McLean, Robin Leith, PING Europe, and Brown and Out.

Next year’s event will take place at Peebles Hydro on Saturday, September 14.

For more information on the event, visit Facebook.com/OddShapedBallPeebles.