Jeffrey ArcherBjørn Erik Pedersen

Former Conservative MP Jeffrey Archer will preside over a star-studded charity event held in Cambridge later this month.

The former politician and author will act as auctioneer at an exclusive charity event held at Anstey Hall in Trumpington, an eighteenth century manor house.

Carousel, an evening of "burlesque, cabaret and buffet" will be held on the 11th of October. All proceeds raised will be donated to Mane Chance Sanctuary, a charity which rescues and rehabilitates abandoned and abused horses around the UK. In association with other charities, Mane Chance then allows sick, disabled and special needs children and young people to interact with the horses.

The annual cost of running the charity is almost £180,000 per year and Mane Chance receives no government funding.

Cabaret and burlesque acts such as Sophia St. Villier and performers from the New Moon Burlesque and Cabaret Club will feature alongside an international food court, dancing, fireworks and an auction.

Mane Chance Sanctuary was founded by the actress Jenny Seagrove, who will be in attendance as the charity’s Chair of Trustees, alongside Eastenders and Coronation Street actress Michelle Collins and Rula Lenska, the Coronation Street actress from whose hands MP George Galloway licked milk during the 2006 series of Celebrity Big Brother.

Jeffrey Archer has a history of charitable endeavour: in 1991 he set up Simple Truth, a charity supporting Kurdish people being oppressed by Saddam Hussein. However his philanthrophic efforts were cut short by his conviction for perjury and perverting the course of justice during a previous libel trial in 2000.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Anstey Hall directly on 01223 700400 or by emailing burlesqueansteyhall@icloud.com.