Feeling posh? Well reserve your ticket for a night to remember in Ribchester on New year's Eve, writes DAVID HIGGERSON. . .

FOR a different way to bling in the New Year -- pardon the pun -- Ribchester appears to be the place to head come December 31.

For that is where the Bling Bling Ball is being held -- a night offering a mixture of Funky House and R'n'B . . . not to mention varying degrees of opulence to boot!

It is being held at De Tabley complex, which over the past couple of years has become a well-known spot for local clubs to lay down their roots for one off events which attract crowds from across the area.

Preston night-spot Feel have been on country days out there, Funktion made the journey there in August and return on Boxing Day night, but never before has a Bling Bling Ball being staged.

And Jamie Harvey, one of the collective of local DJs putting the event together, reckon it is going to be a smash!

He said: "We are doing something which hasn't been done before, a real ball for the New Year but with modern music trends, R'n'B in the one room and Funky House in the marquee.

"From what people have told us, they don't mind travelling a bit on New Year's Eve and wouldn't mind leaving their regular town but don't want to go too far because of the expense.

"That's where the Bling Bling Ball comes in."

In the main ballroom, Jamie Harvey joins Moist Bar's Big Daddy Cat, Fuel Bar's Notorious Ben O'C and Nick Numa.

In the Annexe, former Cubes favourite Damien Lee joins Preston's Greg Bamber along with Lance Cunningham and Neil Smallridge.

Tickets start at £25 and rise to £100 depending on what extras are thrown in to boot. The top-whack ticket includes free champagne, dollars for the "casino" and a limo to and from the event

The promise is that the ball will carry on well into 2004 -- although final admission is at 11.45pm in 2003!

Dress is tuxes and gowns, and Jamie said: "It's going to be a special event, a great way to see in the New Year and tickets are already selling fast."

One preview night has already been held at Bar Moist in Northgate, Blackburn. A second one takes place at Rood Bar in Gisburn Road, Barrowford, on December 9 followed by a special set at J2, Mawdsley Street, Bolton, on December 13.

The J2 event will also see respected Ibiza circuit DJ Oliver Lang performing.

Tickets are on sale across East Lancashire, but for more information, log on

to www.blingblingball.com