Staff at York IT firm RedBlack Software are getting into gear for a fundraising casino night at their new city centre headquarters.

The charity event with James Bond theme takes place on April 27 when the King Street office will be transformed into a fully-fledged casino, complete with professional croupiers and roulette wheel.

RedBlack Software's managing director Jane Tyler and her team of seven (007) database specialists and website designers will be dressing up as well-known Bond film characters. They will play host to a range of invited guests including clients, suppliers and business associates.

Guests will be allocated betting chips on arrival and will try their luck on the roulette wheel by placing their bets on red or black numbers ll in the name of charity. RedBlack Software will donate the proceeds to Caroline's Rainbow Foundation, the charity set up in memory of murdered York backpacker Caroline Stuttle. A special prize will also be presented to the

lucky guest who wins the most chips during the evening.

The firm, which custom-builds Microsoft Access databases and designs websites for businesses across Yorkshire, recently relocated to the city centre from York Science Park.

Ms Tyler said: "We wanted to mark the official opening of our new headquarters with a fun event for clients.

"We hit on the idea of a charity casino night and the James Bond theme just seemed to follow. We're hoping people will be stirred and not shaken by our costumes."

Updated: 11:04 Monday, April 05, 2004