AN EAST Lancashire social club raised more than £500 in memory of Sophie Lancaster by holding a freaky fancy dress with a difference.

As part of the Rocky Horror Picture Show-themed evening, held at Brooks Club, Infant Street, Accrington, people dressed up as memorable characters from the 1975 musical film starring Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon.

The evening gave everyone a chance to dress up in gothic clothing and pale make-up, an image heavily associated with the murdered 20-year-old.

Winners of the fancy dress competition, decided by Sophie’s mum Sylvia, went to Tom Law, who dressed as Curry’s famous scientist Dr Frank-N-Furter, and Cara Whittaker, who looked like Patricia Quinn’s Magenta.

As well as the fancy dress there were performances from live bands including Eustacia Vye, A New Day Falls, Spectral Fires and Wiretrap.

Official charity wrist bands were also sold on the evening and a total of £520 was raised. The event was organised by Eleanor Cocker, Natalie Stevenson and Becky Lord.

Eleanor said: “We were very pleased with the amount raised, which was a lot more than we thought we would get. We were also very impressed with how many people came and how involved they got with the fancy dress –- everyone looked great.”

The event was part of the Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere campaign, to raise money for the Sophie Lancaster foundation.