Ilkley's love of Old Time Music Hall has provided four charities with thousands of reasons to smile.

The rafters of the Kings Hall rang to the songs and laughter of a variety of stars, netting more than £13,000 for Save The Children, The Abbeyfield Ilkley Society, Ilkley Stroke Club and Cookridge Cancer Centre Appeal.

Vince Hill headed a strong bill of artists for the three-night event, presenting a wide range of popular songs, including Edelweiss and Roses in Picardy.

Ken Goodwin, best known from The Comedians, revived many memories with a nice line of patter, interspersed with George Formby songs.

Ilkley Music Hall committee member Jim Horsley said: "Particular highlights of a well-balanced show were Dottie Wayne, whose versatile performance included songs, comedy, and whistling, together with participation from a receptive audience. Ted Durante and Hilda were enormously popular with a gem of a presentation of an old style acrobatic act where everything goes wrong!"

The singing was immaculately presented and featured baritone Howard Layton and Beverley Alexander.

The Yorkshire humour of Peter (Machine Gun) Wallis was also a hit.

Firebird and partner Zoe presented a daring and costumed trapeze act. The glamorous dancers C'est Magnifique completed the line-up.

Chairman Andrew Sharpe held the evening together and a faultless performance by the orchestra, directed by David Smith, ensured high standards throughout the production.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.