Bradford businessmen and women are being urged to dust down their gladrags for one of the highlights of the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can... Cancer Research Appeal calendar.

Bradford HSBC has teamed up with Schofield Sweeney Solicitors to fund a glittering ball at Valley Parade on May 25.

And organisers are determined to raise at least £15,000.

More than 200 people have already bought tickets for the dinner, which aims to unite the Bradford business community in the battle against cancer.

Helen Schofield, practice manager at Schofield Sweeney in Bradford, said the response had been fantastic.

"It's a complete range of people who are supporting this from the Asian business community to plcs. The support we are getting could not be more diverse.

"But we can still take more people! The banqueting suite sits up to 500."

The guest list includes appeal president, Baroness Lockwood, The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq and appeal chairman Linda Pollard.

Guests will be greeted by a champagne reception sponsored by Bradford City FC.

They will then be treated to a sit-down dinner and entertainment by an 11-piece live band, magician and disco. And for those who wish to chance their luck, roulette tables will be set up.

The cost of the event is being covered by HSBC and Schofield Sweeney, so all the cash will go towards the Bradford Can... Appeal, which aims to raise £1m for life-saving research at Bradford University and pioneering drug trials at Bradford Royal Infirmary. Once the target is reached, Cancer Research UK will inject another £5m into the city.

Ms Schofield said: "This is supporting Bradford research, doctors and nurses and the people of Bradford. Anything that can make it easier for families that have been struck by cancer has to be done. This is Bradford business supporting Bradford Royal Infirmary and Bradford University."

Tickets cost £40 per person and can be booked by calling Sandra Wright at HSBC on (01274) 332239. Businesses can also sponsor the programme.