Mayor of Preston Coun Bhikhu Patel, who is hosting the event, said he wanted to make the annual black tie event different this year, celebrating the "multi-culture, multi-faith nature of Preston society".

The charity event at Preston's Guild Hall on Saturday April 22 will see a blend of English and Indian food on offer as well as entertainment including a DJ, singing and dancing.

Mayor of Preston, Coun Bhikhu Patel, revealed he hoped to impress the guests with an authentic Maharajah costume and added: "Traditionally, a Darbar is a colourful gathering held at the court of a maharaja and we are aiming to recreate something similar here in Preston.

"It will be a fun night and I hope to see guests throwing themselves into the spirit of things by wearing authentic dress."

Proceeds will go to the Emmaus homeless charity and other local charities.

Council leader John Collins said he didn't have any strong feelings about this year's change to the traditional-style ball.

He said: "It's still an event for a Mayoral charity. It's an interesting change.

"I know Bhikhu has given it an interesting flavour this year."

Coun Ken Hudson, conservative leader, said: "Personally I don't think it's an appropriate thing.

"I think that we have a long history of the Mayor raising funds for charity by a traditional method and I think that by doing this new thing he has alienated people who normally attend and so they are not coming."

"Even thought it's exciting it's going to be the Mayoral ball will be a low key event, it has not got the support of the vast number of people of Preston."