THE Mayor of Newport will host a “Newport’s finest” charity dinner with stars from the world of sport and media at Celtic Manor this autumn.

Athletes Jamie Baulch and Christian Malcolm, along with teenage author Beth Reekles, picked by Time Magazine as one of the most influential young people in the world, are to attend the fundraiser on October 24.

Adventurer Richard Parks may also be at the gala evening held in honour of the Teenage Cancer Trust South Wales and Newport Sea Cadets, Newport Mayor Cllr Matthew Evans has revealed.

Businessmen from some of the biggest companies in the city will also be there, including Wesley Clover chief executive Simon Gibson, who was appointed to chair a task force to look at the regeneration of the city centre last year.

Football and rugby stars from Newport County and Gwent Dragons are also expected to attend the dinner at the resort, which is hosting the NATO summit in September.

Cllr Evans said the dinner would celebrate “Newport’s finest”, while raising funds for his two chosen charities during his year in office, Newport Sea Cadets and Teenage Cancer Trust.

He said: “We are trying to get the biggest collection of people associated with Newport.

“We’re hoping it will be a massive event.

“So far the response has been incredible.

“We’ve got a lot of people. It is going to be a fantastic occasion.

“All the main companies in Newport have committed so far.

“It’s going to be a great evening.”

At least 400 people are expected to attend the gala evening, which will include charity auctions and raffles.

Cllr Evans added that he was waiting for confirmation ex-Gwent Dragons player Richard Parks would attend the dinner.

For more information on Cllr Evans charities, log on to newport.gov.uk.