The Argus, Brighton, has raised a record £57,000 for charity in one night - beating last year's total by more than £19,000.

Almost 500 people from the worlds of stage, screen, media and business attended the launch of The Argus Appeal 2003 at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Brighton.

The biggest slice of the cash was raised by an auction featuring items including a year's supply of free car washes, a private box at an Oasis gig, Anna Kournikova's signed bra and a life-size Elvis model.

DJ Norman Cook donated a selection of Big Beach Boutique memorabilia and photographs of the event taken by Argus photographer Aaron St Clair while Simon Bradshaw, editor of The Argus, auctioned his services for a day which was bought by two seperate bidders.

ITN newsreader Nicholas Owen compered the glittering event and explained how the hard work of all those involved in the appeal helped a wide range of Sussex charities.

He introduced a short film that showed some of the many people who have so far benefited from the appeal.

Argus Appeal coordinator Elsa Gillio said: "We are so grateful to people for getting into the spirit of the evening and also to all those who supported the appeal by donating such wonderful things. It was a sensational evening."

The Argus Appeal has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities across Sussex in the last 45 years.

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