Dinner guests were surprised to find American army jeeps and soldiers awaiting them at the start of a charity dinner on Saturday night.

The 1945 army reenactors, three jeeps and a military truck had been stationed at the Queen’s Stand at Epsom Downs Racecourse for the mayor of Epsom's gala dinner.

Organiser Brian Angus, chairman of the mayor’s charities, said: "Guests were surprised and thrilled by the scene that greeted them on arrival.

"We wanted the event to be special so this was a really big surprise. I don’t think the Queen’s Stand has ever found itself with security round the entrance like this.

"Some people scuttled past as quickly as they could thinking they had come to the wrong event. Others really warmed to the magic and asked for pictures to be taken. It set the tone for a special evening."

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The black tie dinner and dance raised £4,000 for the charities chosen by mayor Councilllor Robert Foote for this year.

His charities are the Epsom and Ewell foodbank, Citizens Advice Bureau and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The evening included performances from magician Robert Pound and students at performing arts college Laine Theatre Arts.

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Laine Theatre Art's choir