The curtain has risen on a popular variety show that has raised more than £80,000 for charity since it first started.

This year’s Court Moor School Palace of Varieties kicked off on Wednesday last week with a performance for pensioners.

Event co-ordinator Debbie Hoey declared the opening night “superb”.

“Yateley Lions went round picking up all the pensioners and we had 220 people in,” she added.

“There really is something for everyone and we had a bit of cowboy and western stuff, some Brat Pack, lots of com-edy and a bit of magic.

“We have a general sing-along and a good all-round evening. It’s a bit like a mini Royal Variety Show, but held in Fleet.”

The show was also staged on Friday and Saturday, with proceeds going to Court Moor School. Proceeds from the Wednesday show will go to Leukaemia Research, while funds raised by Thursday's performance will be shared by the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice and Mencap.

The final two shows, on Friday and Saturday, were sell-outs, with proceeds again going to the school.

Founded in 1983 as a fundraising activity, the Palace of Variety events have featured at least 240 people performing in more than 150 shows.

To date, they have raised more than £80,000 for the school and various local charities.

Last year’s special 25th anniversary event raised nearly £8,000 for charity and organisers hope to raise around £6,500 this year.

The variety shows are staged by the Court Moor School Society (CMSS), a committed group of parents and staff who organise and stage social and fundraising events throughout the year. Parents of every pupil at the school are automatically members of the group.

Events organised in the past have included Christmas and summer raffles, jumble sales, quiz nights, craft fairs and barn dances.

Money raised by the society has gone towards buying a variety of equipment for the school, including a new minibus, computers, camcorders, stage curtains and sports, music, drama, science and technology equipment.

To check availability of tickets for the Palace of Varieties, call Debbie Hoey on 01252 684657 or visit www.pov.moonfruit.com.