IT was showtime at the Albert Halls as civic leaders gathered for the mayor’s charity variety show.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Guy Harkin, together with town dignitaries and members of the public, were treated to an evening of song and dance by talented Bolton performers on Saturday night. There were acts from Melody Pop Tuition, the Lois Booth School of Dancing and Fitness and Angels Dance, Fitness and Performance. And Cllr Noel Spencer, the deputy mayor, also took to the stage with a show-stopping rendition of The Lady and the Tramp.

The annual event raises money for the mayor’s charities.

Cllr Jean Gillies, who helped organise the event, said: “This year the mayor gave us one of the free days he has to use the Albert Halls where we do not have to pay for staffing. So all the money we raised, which we think will be between £3,500 and £4,000, will go to charity.

“When we finished, the next mayor came up to us to ask if we had booked for next year. We said if you want us to do it, then we will do it.”

About 200 performers took to the stage during the evening, and amonst the entertainment was a performance of Korean rapper Psy’s worldwide mega-hit, Gangnam Style. Cllr Gillies said: “It was a fantastic show, and everybody who took part was amazing. Everyone who performed was local.

“The variety show gave them a platform to showcase what they had learned and how far they had progressed.”

She added: “Everyone involved in the show helped free of charge. We had parents helping out.”

This year the mayor is raising money for a number of charities, including those which support people suffering from cancer or dementia. Money will also be used to help young people.

l The family of poorly Katie Dodd, aged four, from Farnworth, were special guests on the evening. The Katie Dodd Appeal aims to raise £10,00 so the youngster can undergo treatment in America after she was left paralysed by a rare cancerous tumour in her spine.