ORGANISERS of a charity ball already hit by the theft of an advertising banner are now having to battle against a malicious rumour that their event has been cancelled.

Lez Collins, who is helping to organise the ball in Minehead's Beach Hotel on September 18, said would-be ball-goers and even ticket holders were being put off by claims the ball had been cancelled.

"It's absolutely not true and we want to reassure everyone who has already bought a ticket that it has not been cancelled," Lez said.

As reported in the Free Press last month, the ball is being held to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity.

But fundraising efforts were dealt a blow when a six-foot banner advertising the ball was stolen from a balcony outside the Beach Hotel.

Minehead firm Active Signs stepped in with a replacement after reading about the theft in the Free Press.

Tickets for the ball, which will feature live music and a buffet, are available from the Beach Hotel, the Britannia Inn in Alcombe and the Frock Exchange in Blenheim Road, Minehead.