A PHARMACEUTICAL giant hosted a ball to celebrate 70 years based in Ulverston.

GlaxoSmithKline, on North Lonsdale Road, started out when the Ulverston factory opened in 1948, making penicillin.

In the last 70 years they have made 46 different products and we are still making antibiotics now.

GSK hosted a ball for their employees at the Coronation Hall to allow their workers to let off steam and to celebrate their hard work over the course of seven decades.

Hundreds of employees dressed to the nines to party with colleagues and to give back to the local community.

The night was serviced by local caterers, bands, florist and a locally themed and sourced menu.

The flowers were auctioned off at the close of the event to raise money for St Mary's Hospice.

GSK also ran two separate evenings to allow all shift workers to attend one party to celebrate.

Phil Wilson, site director at GSK, said it is great to celebrate 70 years of GSK in Ulverston.

He said: “Its been another great opportunity to spend time with the site and their partners celebrating our 70th year.

"The Coronation Hall is an amazing asset for the town and a beautiful venue.

"The team there yet again hosted a fabulous evening and it was a delight to see the employees of the GSK site really enjoying themselves.

"An added bonus was ‘selling’ the beautiful table decorations from Bluebell and Ivy at the end of the evening and handing over the money to St Mary’s.”

It is the second time in recent weeks that GSK has donated to the hospice.

Last month, a staggering £20,000 to celebrate 70 years in Ulverston.

The hospice was selected by the employees through a voting system where tokens were used to place a ‘vote’ for one of four chosen charities.

Mel Dixon, community development manager at St Mary's Hospice, attended the ball with her husband, who works at GSK.

Mrs Dixon said the company have always been full of support and thanked them for their donations once more.

She said: "We cannot thank G.S.K enough for all the support they have shown us during their 70th Anniversary celebrations.

"As an organisation we rely heavily on the support of our community.

"It is to our advantage that local organisations and business can be rest assured that their donations will be used to directly support local people and their families at the most difficult of times. "