WE wish Newport mayor Matthew Evans all the luck in the world with his grand plan to gather the city's 'finest' together in one place to raise money for charity.

Councillor Evans is proving himself a particularly go-ahead first citizen, even running a Twitter feed to let Newport people know what their mayor is up to.

All mayors use their term of office to raise money for charities.

But few have come up with an event like Cllr Evans' gala dinner planned for the Celtic Manor in October.

The mayor is attempting to gather the biggest collection of famous people associated with Newport ever assembled in the same place and on the same night.

The event will raise money for Cllr Evans' chosen charities, Newport Sea Cadets and the South Wales branch of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The gala dinner will see sports stars, authors and others joining those who have made their name in the arts and business.

Attendees can choose to have one of the VIP guests on their table at the event.

It is an ambitious plan, but that fits in with Newport being an ambitious city.

We hope the mayor's evening is a huge success that raises a fortune for charity while also raising the city's profile.