The music was cranked up and everyone had their dancing shoes on as a Freddie Mercury tribute act and Mitch Winehouse took to the stage to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a Redbridge charity.

Mr Winehouse, patron of charity Hopes and Dreams and the father of Amy Winehouse, brought his big band along to entertain 250 guests at the Prince Regent Hotel, Manor Road, Woodford Green on Sunday.

Hopes and Dreams chairman Ruth Salahi, of Somersby Gardens, Redbridge said: “It was a fantastic night. The mayor [Cllr Chris Cummins] and mayoress [Helen Johnson] were dancing and had their arms waving in the air.

“We just wanted people to enjoy themselves.”

As well as the music, charity patrons including ‘Allo ‘Allo star Vicki Michelle and actor Michael McKell were at the anniversary bash, as well as a Del Boy lookalike and a group of pearly kings and queens.

About �4,000 was raised from the night, with Del Boy lookalike Maurice Canham hosting a raffle.

Hopes and Dreams makes the wishes of terminally ill youngsters come true, with dreams in the pipeline including giving two youngsters a chance to visit theme parks in Orlando, Florida.

One child is also set to meet a star from boyband Take That.

Mrs Salahi said: “It’s great for the charity that people get to know about us and how we make dreams come true.

“That’s what it’s all about. I’m not in it for the fame or the fortune, just raising money.”

Music on the night also came from rock band Dirty Truth and singer Tatiana.

Speaking of a lively routine from Freddie Mercury impersonator Paul Jackson, which saw him strip to his shorts, Mrs Salahi said: “Everybody was up and dancing. I’ve never seen anything like it!”