OUR excited Sparkle youngsters were treated to a very special afternoon tea party courtesy of Newport's mayor.

Councillor Paul Cockeram entertained some of the children at the heart of our Sparkle Appeal at Newport's Mansion House on Sunday.

We launched the appeal last December with the aim of raising £250,000 towards a new £6 million centre for disabled children, to be built at High Cross. The centre will help 1,200 disabled children in Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthshire.

The youngsters at Sunday's tea party will be among the first to benefit from the new centre.

Sparkle Appeal co-ordinator Tina White said: "It wasn't a fundraising event, it was just nice to get all the parents and children together - it was a lovely day."

Two weeks ago the daredevil mayor announced Sparkle as one of three charities he will support this year, and then promptly revealed plans to abseil down the Royal Gwent Hospital.

The abseil was the second major event of the year, after a sponsored walk which raised £3,000.

He said: "Sunday's event was a runaway success. It was good to be able to make use of the Mansion House grounds to their full potential.

"The kids really enjoyed themselves and that was the main aim of the day."

Throughout last December, schools and businesses across Gwent pitched in with Sparkle Days in a bid to raise money, along with a host of individuals who've been doing their bit.

To find out how you can help, call the Sparkle Appeal office on 01633 656212, or email enquiries@sparkleappeal.org.