The Night of All Knights charity dinner is being hailed as the social event of the year, and will raise cash for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

High-profile guests include Sir Bobby himself, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson and Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall, who will be performing some of his hits.

More than 1,000 tickets were snapped up within two weeks of the dinner's announcement and now organiser Michael Roseberry, former cricketer and now managing director of Roseberry Leisure, is compiling a waiting list for tickets.

He said: "To have sold out this quickly is simply amazing. The calibre of entertainment and guests attending has certainly proved a strong draw, but ultimately I think it is testament to Sir Bobby's popularity.

"He's doing something very special for the north-east by raising money to help the experts beat cancer, and I think people in this region appreciate his efforts and want to help."

Sponsorship packages for the evening are still available, for £4,000, which come with a VIP table at the dinner.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation will initially focus on the early detection and treatment of cancer and supporting clinical trials of promising new treatments.

It has already raised enough money to set up a regional Cancer Trials Research Centre in Newcastle, which will treat patients.

For further information call 584 8630. To make a donation, log onto to the Foundation website here or send a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, PO Box 307, Heaton NE7 7QG.

www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.co.uk