A Maidstone mum with terminal cancer was the belle of a ball which raised £12,000 for charity.

Hayley Martin, 30, organised the glitzy gathering at the Weald of Kent golf club on Friday, which was attended by nearly 150 people.

Among the guests of honour were 16 of Hayley’s chemotherapy nurses .

The party began with a champagne reception before a four-course meal with jazz music. After dinner there was a disco and the L’Oreal technician, from Loose Road, made a speech thanking her guests and telling them her story.

Hayley was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2011, and underwent surgery and six months of chemotherapy.

But despite getting the all-clear she was told in September last year it had returned and was inoperable - just four months after she gave birth to her son Freddie.

Now she is vowing to live life to the full, and has begun organising charity fundraisers.

She said: “We can’t believe how much we raised. I really appreciate everybody coming. The support has been amazing, and the help from people to get the raffle prizes which were incredible. It was an emotional day for me and it was lovely to have my family and nurses there.”

As well as the entry fee, guests raised money at a silent auction, with experiences including a trip on the Orient Express and a visit to Ireland, plus a raffle with prizes from iPods to plasma TVs.

The money will go to the Charles Dickens ward at Maidstone Hospital and Hair and Beauty Benevolent – a charity which Hayley is the face of and which helps members of the beauty industry in challenging times.

Thanks went to Jodie Martin, Emma Stafford and Charlotte Green who helped organise the event, the Weald of Kent and all those who donated prizes, with special mention to Steve Gallagher.