Plans are underway to make the Ashford heat of this year's KM Big Charity Quiz a blockbuster event.

The annual event, now in its ninth year, will be staged at The Stour Centre, Ashford on Friday, October 10 and Kent Online readers can sign up now using a special early bird discount code to secure extra treats on the night.

Three of the four causes to benefit from the proceeds raised have been named so far. The Ashford Foodbank will receive a share as will the children's road safety and walk to school work of the KM Charity Team.

Event organisers are keen to hear from voluntary or charitable organisations willing to create the ploughman's meals for guests, in exchange for receiving a share of the charity pot.

Senior staff at Barclays Bank in Ashford gathered to help plan the mammoth wine and wisdom evening.

Simon Dolby from the KM's charity department said: "It is fantastic to have staff from Barclays helping to plan this major event. They are bubbling with ideas to help make it a success and raise a significant sum for good causes in south Kent."

The evening attracts scores of teams, each with a maximum of eight people, all competing for the Big Quiz Trophy. Prizes are also awarded to the top teams linked to local government and education, as well as the NHS and caring services. A table for up to eight people costs £65.

Teams taking part will this year receive a complementary bottle of wine on the table, all participants receive a free beverage on arrival and free entry into a draw to win a P&O Ferry ticket.

One lucky participant will have the chance to win £250 in cash on the night, simply by answering a sudden death question.

Mr Dolby said: "To make the event a success I need to find one more headline sponsor who can benefit from the significant profile we have to thank them, simply by supporting the event with a donation of £500."

In addition event organisers are appealing for six round sponsors to support the event with a £100 donation.

To discuss being a charitable partner at the event and taking on the task of preparing the food for guests, contact Dominic Comins on dcomins@thekmgroup.co.uk. To sponsor the event call Simon Dolby on 07989 164 752.

To book a table at the KM Big Charity Quiz visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk Use the discount code ABQ14EB to get a £10 discount off the price of a table.

Fact-file

• Heats of the KM Big Charity Quiz are staged in Medway, Canterbury, Maidstone and Ashford. The top four teams from each event are invited to the county final in December.
• Each year the big quiz raises more than £25,000 for good causes.
• 2015 will see the 10th anniversary of the Ashford and Medway heats of the KM Big Quiz. To sponsor the event contact Simon Dolby onsdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk