A star-studded charity bash has helped secure the future for young cricketers in Sussex.

Stars of stage, screen and sport helped raise cash towards a £500,000 Sussex County Cricket Club youth ground at Blackstone, near Henfield.

Top fashion models took to the catwalk during the club's glittering Christmas show at Hove Town Hall yesterday.

They wore a sparkling array of one-off outfits from big name fashion houses which included Paul Smith, Red or Dead and Betty Salmon.

All the girls, from major London fashion agency Models with Conscience and Brighton-based Cyber 2000, agreed to appear free.

They were joined by celebrities from Sussex who took part to raise money for the club's Cricket Year Zero project.

Nichola from Channel 4 show Big Brother joined Saffron from band Republica and Seagulls star striker Bobby Zamora to sport the latest fashions on stage.

Big Breakfast presenter Wayne Hemingway took charge as master of ceremonies.

Former Neighbours star Mark Little, who now lives in Brighton and is a big supporter of the club, pitched in by drawing the raffle.

Nichola drew a huge cheer from the 400 guests, including former England cricketer John Snow, during an auction of signed football shirts.

She revealed she had nothing on underneath her Manchester United strip after it went under the hammer for £360.

The successful bidder was invited to remove the shirt leaving a beaming Nichola to be cheered off the stage waving to the audience.

Other signed shirts were donated by Barcelona, West Ham, Leeds, Liverpool, Tottenham, France and the Albion.

Tennis stars Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski both signed a shirt which went for £200.

Ian Waring, one of the organisers of the event, said it had helped raise more than £15,000 for the project.

He said: "It has been a fantastic day and we now have more than £270,000 towards the new ground."