A Warminster farmer and his wife are hoping a charity ball will raise awareness of skin cancer, after he was told he has contracted a terminal form of the disease.

Farmer Julian Smith, 45, of Heytesbury, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer just before Christmas.

Doctors believe the disease was caused by increased exposure to the sun as a result of his job.

Now Mr Smith’s wife, Jenny, 34, is helping her husband’s colleagues Alex Bush and Matthew May at Ashton Farms in West Ashton to organise a Mad Hatters Ball.

The ball at the White Horse Country Park in Coach Road, Westbury, on March 12, will raise money for Mr Smith to have treatment abroad, where there is the possibility new drugs or treatments may help him live longer. If the couple learn the treatments will not go ahead or will not help, the cash will pay for them to enjoy a last final holiday.

Money will also go to Salisbury Hospice Care Trust and Positive Action on Cancer, both of which are supporting the family.

Mr Smith, who is known as Jools, said: “When I first heard about the event I was gobsmacked, if a little embarrassed. Overall I was very happy that my friends thought that much of me to go out of their way and give up their time.

“The message I would give to people who work outside a lot would be wear a hat and make sure you use a high factor sun cream. Don’t have the attitude ‘it won’t happen to me’.”

Mrs Smith’s brother, TV chef Tim Maddams from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Channel 4 show River Cottage, will host the ball.

Mrs Smith said: “He said if there’s anything he could do just pick up the phone, so I did. He’s been relieved of his cooking duties, he’s just there as my celebrity brother.

“When the specialist told Jools it was malignant melanoma, he said it was probably related to the fact that he has worked outside all his life.

“Farmers are outside 24/7 come rain, wind or shine. Part of this benefit is to remind people to put sun block on or cover up with a T-shirt.”

The black tie ball, which will run until 2am, will have a prize for the best mad hatter, an auction, casino, fairground attraction, bucking bronco, live music and a lamb and pork spit roast.

For more details and tickets at £35 each, call 07519 709472.