A glittering array of stars from the world of screen, stage and business dug deep in their pockets to raise a staggering £38,000 for The Argus Appeal.

As well as their cash, some also offered their time, work and even their hair in a charity auction.

Among the celebrities who attended the evening at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel were former EastEnders actresses Michelle Collins and Carol Harrison, author James Herbert, glamour model Jamelah, TV personality Lionel Blair, skating star Robin Cousins and TV newsreader Carol Barnes.

A range of fund-raising entertainment from bingo to trapeze acts kept the money pouring in throughout the seven-hour event on Saturday night.

A sum of £4,000 from ticket sales for a Holiday on Ice show meant a grand total of £42,000 was raised within the first week of launch of The Argus Appeal 2002.

Guests were greeted by performers on stilts before being led to a champagne reception.

Wine flowed as the 370 guests were greeted by the host for the evening, Christopher Biggins. It was the second year running Christopher, dressed in typically-dapper slippers, hosted the event.

He said: "It is really a privilege to be back here in Brighton, one of my favourite places."

Howard Scott, chairman of the appeal trustees and managing director of Newsquest (Sussex) Ltd, told guests how more than £52,000 had been given to individuals and groups across Sussex during the past 12 months.

He said: "Thanks again to Legal and General for their support for the second year running, thanks to Gala Bingo for their continued support and thanks to my fellow trustees and, especially to Elsa Gillio, who has taken on the organising tonight with her usual skill."

Bids in the charity auction became more extravagant as the night progressed.

Among the dazzling prizes on offer were a holiday in the Maldives, which went for £2,600 to Gala Bingo, a signed Brighton and Hove Albion football shirt, which went for £1,000 to Mansell McTaggert, and a cruise down the Nile which was snapped up by Legal and General for £1,700.

Michelle Collins paid £1,500 to write a column in The Argus and had to hold back her four-year-old daughter Maia from bidding away thousands of pounds more.

Michelle, who accompanied Pietro Addis and his wife Sue, of Donatello restaurant, said: "I'm not sure what I'm going to write about but I'd like to come into the office for the day. Maybe I'll write about Donatello restaurant."

Deirdre French, wife of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company boss Roger, also successfully bid for a column for the second year running.

Sue Toft, manager of Gala Bingo in Hove, paid £500 to swim with sharks. Malcolm Dockerill, of Dockerills Ironmongers in Brighton, paid £600 to have his car valeted by Mr French while Jim Hicks, of Amplicon, paid £500.

Page Three girl Jamelah can look forward to a date with Bob Hoad of Southern FM, who paid £600 for the privilege. Mr Hoad also matched Sue Addis' bid of £2,600 to have his name printed on the front of a Brighton and Hove bus.

Almost £3,000 was raised by three men having their heads shaved. Michelle and Carol, who played Tiffany's mother Louise Raymond, took it in turns to run a razor over the heads of Pietro Addis, Phil Church, who runs Corporate Vehicle Contracts in Brighton, and editor of The Argus Simon Bradshaw.

Mr Bradshaw raised another £800 by offering to be a golf caddy for the day.

Even a supermodel played her part in the fund-raising with a pair of Claudia Schiffer's sparkly sandals selling for £100. Horror writer James Herbert donated a signed, bark-covered copy of his forthcoming novel, Once, raising £600.

He said: "I'm constantly thinking of ideas for my horror stories. This one's about fairies and elves."

Guests were treated to an acrobatic display by the Hangleton-based Children's Circus, which included youngsters from across Sussex and their teachers.

Lionel Blair, who arrived with his wife, Susan, said: "I thought the food was fantastic. My son graduated from university today and I rushed here straight after because I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

After dinner a game of bingo was hosted by Gala Bingo.

It was followed by a short film showing the serious side to The Argus Appeal behind the fun. ITN newsreader and royal correspondent Nicholas Owen presented the film, which showed how the money which has been raised has improved the lives of scores of people across Sussex.

Among those people were the Brackpool family. Ross Brackpool died of cancer aged 23 earlier this year but was able to realise his three wishes of meeting Nick Faldo, diving in the Red Sea and going to Disney World in Florida.

The Argus Appeal paid for Ross, his parents Hilary and Dave, and his sister, Skye, a photographer at The Argus, to go to Disney World.

Mr Brackpool, who attended the event with his wife and daughter, said: "Ross had his last wish fulfilled thanks to The Argus."

After the film, Christopher Biggins said: "I think The Argus Appeal is just fantastic. What it does with the money is wonderful. So many people are able to benefit from it."

The rest of the night was spent dancing to Abba tribute band Bjorn Free and live bands The Quantity and The Blues Brothers.

Elsa Gillio, who organised the evening, said: "It was a fabulous night.

"Thanks to a dedicated group of helpers and the generosity of the people and businesses of Sussex, we raised a record-breaking amount of money in some bizarre ways for the good causes The Argus Appeal supports."