Organisers of a fundraising drive which has raised more than £18,000 over the past few years are set to raise even more cash for a vital heart screening initiative in Dovercourt.

A dinner and dance event is being held at the Cliff Hotel, in Marine Parade, Dovercourt, on May 30. 

It is being organised by hotel owner, Dave Pratt, in  order to raise funds for a heart screening programme for young people. 

It is hoped the event will pay for the charity, CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), to hold several heart-screening sessions in the town to help detect heart conditions in 14 to 35-year-olds. 

All proceeds will go towards the initiative, spearheaded by Tony Armstrong, who lost his 28 year old son, Marcus, three years ago, after he suffered a sudden and unexpected heart attack. 

Mr Armstrong, of Harwich Road, Wix, said: "CRY has become quite a prominent charity in the area. 

"We lost our own son three years ago this month to an undetected heart condition and we began a fundraising drive to raise funds for a screening programme for young people in the area. 

"We have now managed to find funding for several screenings so young people can have checks on their hearts. 

"All the money raised from the dinner and dance will go towards local screening for local people. 

"If we can prevent someone else going through what we did then it will all be worthwhile." 

It is hoped the first screening session will take place on August 2, at the Harwich and Parkeston Football Club. 

Tickets for the three course meal, which will include music from the 1970s and 19080s and a charity auction, are available by calling the Cliff Hotel  on 01255 503 345.