Banbury Town Mayor Kieron Mallon’s patriotic civic dinner raised over £1,200 for the Royal British Legion and the Huntington's Disease Association charities.

The event, which had a “The Union” theme, saw the town hall decorated with the flags of the four home countries as well as the Union flag.

Attendees enjoyed traditional British meals such as leek and Caerphilly soup, roast beef, Armagh apple pie and Scottish cheeses to continue the theme.

The two charities were selected by Cllr Mallon, as they both carry out work which is particularly close to his heart.

Banbury mayor Cllr Kieron Mallon with some of the dancers from the Reynolds Academy of Irish Dancers. (Photo: Tudor Photography).

placeholder image — Banbury mayor Cllr Kieron Mallon with some of the dancers from the Reynolds Academy of Irish Dancers. (Photo: Tudor Photography).

Cllr Mallon said: “As a former Irish Guardsman whose family can go back many generations in the British Army, all in Irish regiments, the Royal British Legion was an obvious choice, but some may not have heard of Huntington’s disease.

“It’s a dreadful neurodegenerative disease that is incurable and devastates whole families. My grandfather, father, aunt and sister have all died with Huntington's, which usually strikes when you are in your early forties; it's like having both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s at the same time, but at such an early age.”

After dinner, entertainment included performances by Welsh singer Gareth Jeremy, Scottish singer Andrew McHugh and a rendition of Rule Britannia by soprano Cammila Shaughnessy.

The talented youngsters at the Reynolds Academy of Irish Dancers from Northampton also impressed the audience with their dance routine.

Cllr Mallon added: “I would like to thank the town hall staff, the entertainers who gave their performances free of charge and the many sponsors who gave fantastic prizes. We raised over £1,200 for these worthy causes on the night, which will add to my charity fund."