A SOLD-OUT Burns Night Ceilidh has taken an Otley appeal past its halfway point.

The dance and supper was held at All Saints Parish Church on Saturday, January 28 and raised £3,000 for the Otley Parish Church Bell Restoration Appeal.

The money will go towards the £28,565 that is needed by Otley All Saints Bellringers to get essential work carried out on the church's bells.

Tower Captain Meg Morton said: "This was a resounding success and and we are now well beyond our hallway point.

"It had sold out several weeks beforehand and more than 160 friends and supporters were there to join in the fun.

"The excellent band was Village Hop, who had no difficulty in filling the floor for a great deal of energetic dancing.

"There was then a break for a traditional supper of haggis, neeps and tatties, served with a generous shot of whisky.

"This began with the Ceremony of the Haggis, enacted to a spirited recitation by Ann Douglas of Burns’ Address to the Haggis, accompanied on handbells by fellow ringers from Ilkley."

The ringers would like to thank Otley brewer Paul Briscoe for creating two ales for the occasion, Church Bells Bitter and Burns Night Bitter, which both sold well at the bar which was run by Janet Neve.

They are also grateful to Rob Claxton Ingham for planning and cooking the supper, and to Gill Brook for baking shortbread.

Meg added: "A raffle raised more than £500 and we would like to thank all our generous sponsors for donating prizes - Patisserie Viennoise; The Ethical Jeweller; Costa Coffee; Pippa Swanton; Gill Brook; R Sykes Hair, Beauty and Massage; Orchard Kitchen; Dodgshons; Julia Dyson; Kirk Newsholme; Gifted Angel; Curious Hop; Jon Kilmartin; and Cat Swanton.

"Thanks also to The Manor and The Old Cock pubs for donating whisky, and to Reverend Graham Buttanshaw and the parish staff for the use of the church and parish room."

The appeal's next fundraiser will be a Curry Night at The Red Pepper Indian Restaurant in Otley on Monday, February 27 from 6.30pm.

Tickets cost £12 and can be booked by calling Claire on (01943) 467848.