Fundraisers will be digging out their retro clothes and taking a trip back to the Swinging '60s at an event in aid of the Lord Mayor's Appeal tonight.

Students and staff in the hospitality department at Bradford College have organised a 1960s-theme charity gala dinner called Groovy!.

Guests will be able to tuck into a mouth-watering menu of delights including a main course called "Do the Funky Chicken".

Organisers hope to raise hundreds of pounds for the appeal, which is supporting the children's cancer charity Candlighters.

Lord Mayor Councillor Richard Wightman said people would enjoy turning the clock back and wallowing in nostalgia.

"The dinner will be prepared, cooked and served by the catering students at the college," he said.

"All of them have great enthusiasm for this event and provide an excellent level of service."

The dinner, complete with psychedelic menu, will be served in the Westbrook Suite restaurant and will be followed by a cabaret.

More than 50 of the district's leading business people and dignitaries are on the guest list. Gillian Hacking, programme manager for hospitality at Bradford College, said the 20 hospitality students involved were all getting kitted out in 60s gear, although fancy dress was optional.

"We have been planning this since before Christmas," she said.

"It is a full menu from scratch and we will be doing cocktails - which we don't do very often."

Josie Pennington, chairman of the Lord Mayor's Appeal, said it was one of the final events in the appeal calendar and they hoped to break the £100,000 barrier.

"I want to thank the students who work so hard on this - it really is fabulous that they do the whole thing.

"They do this every year for the Lord Mayor's Appeal, which shows their commitment."

Coun Wightman chose Candlelighters, based at St James's Hospital in Leeds, after watching his grandson successfully battle leukaemia.

Events have been held throughout the year including a masked ball, opera evening and a junk in a trunk sale hosted by TV Bargain Hunt star David Dickinson.