THE hit musical Moulin Rouge was the inspiration for an upcoming themed ball and silent auction held near Hatherleigh last weekend.

The event, organised by the Hatherleigh Pink Ladies, raised funds for Get Changed Theatre Company and Cancer Research UK at West Fishleigh Farm.

Among the quirky list of items donated for the auction were a pair of tickets to see the Moulin Rouge show in Paris, a tour of the Houses of Parliament for six people, a French manicure session, a week's holiday in an apartment in Tobago, and a tour of a nuclear submarine.

The 51 lots raised several thousand pounds to be split evenly between the two charities.

Get Changed, based in Okehampton, provides services for adults with learning disabilities through the medium of performing arts.

Cancer Research UK is the largest cancer charity in the country, working to find better treatments to fight all types of cancer.