Get your skates on for charity

7:53pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

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Music lovers are being invited to get their skates on and help raise money for good causes.

A roller disco is being held at The Regal, in Cowley Road, East Oxford, on Saturday, September 6, with proceeds going to children's hospice Helen and Douglas House and John Watson Special School, in Wheatley.

The event is the brainchild of East Oxford DJ Tony Nanton. Mr Nanton, 41, said: "It is an opportunity to get people out who keep moaning to me, saying nothing goes on in Oxford and that Oxford is boring.

"I was in a pub and someone said to me, 'why didn't we do a roller disco in The Regal?' I like a challenge so I decided to take it on."

Safety will be a key consideration for skaters at the event - with everybody being issued with a number of poker chips at the beginning of the night.

Every time an alcoholic drink is bought, a chip will have to be handed over, to make sure nobody gets drunk during the two hours of skating.

Mr Nanton said: "We want to control the amount of drinks they can have during the two hours, but after that, they can drink as much as they like. They will be pretty knackered after all the skating. I just want people to come and enjoy themselves."

People will also be issued with different coloured bands, so if the dance floor gets overcrowded, people wearing certain coloured bands can be called in to reduce numbers.

Tickets cost £12.50, including skate hire, £10 if you take your own skates or £8 to watch. If successful, it could become a regular event.

For more information, or to book tickets, go to the-regal.com