The stars came out to shine at a glittering fundraising event held to help victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

They included the broadcaster and author Lord Melvyn Bragg and award-winning songwriter Phil Coulter.

It was organised by the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund which was set up to support victims of the Troubles.

Other guests included First Minister and leader of the Ulster Unionist party David Trimble and leader of the SDLP John Hume.

An auction was held which helped to bring the amount raised by the fund to more than £60,000.

The event was at the Culloden Hotel near Holywood, Co Down and it was the fund's first fundraising event.

Speaking on Wednesday night, chairman of the fund Professor George Bain: "The main message this evening and throughout the fund's activities is that we must remember the people who suffered as a result of the Troubles over the past 30 years."

One of the main attractions at the auction was a lithograph donated by the artist the Prince of Wales, and Waterford Crystal glasses created specially for the event.

Lord Bragg was the main speaker at the fundraiser.

The organisers said that all the money raised will go straight to the various projects run by the fund.