DOUBLE Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington and celebrity chef Tonia Buxton were among the stars at a party to celebrate the 21st anniversary of a Malton charity.

The event at Glaziers Hall in London brought the curtain down on a year-long celebration for The Encephalitis Society.

Society members donned masks for an evening which included the annual awards ceremony, live music and the announcement of a short film, digital art and photography competition for World Encephalitis Day 2016.

Dr Ava Easton, chief executive of The Encephalitis Society, said: "It was a wonderful end to what has been a landmark year for the society.

"We have managed to spread awareness about encephalitis to more people than ever before. We reached 13 million people on World Encephalitis Day and our 21st anniversary roadshow exceeded all our expectations.

"Visiting 21 UK cities in 21 days was very ambitious for a small charity such as ours, but the response from the public at every city we visited was very amazing."

Dr Easton, who will release her first book next year, added: "We are poised to carry on moving onwards and upwards. More and more people are learning about Encephalitis and the devastating effects it can have on people who have been affected and their loved ones."

It was also a special evening for society ambassador Mathew Bose. The Emmerdale actor was honoured with an award for his dedication to The Encephalitis Society.

Mathew first became involved with the charity 10 years ago after a close friend of his was affected by the brain condition.

Since then, he has become a stalwart supporter and championed awareness of Encephalitis and the work of the Society.

He said afterwards: "I am very humbled to have been given this award. But this is not about me - this is about The Encephalitis Society and its members. All of us are devoted to The Encephalitis Society and the good work it does."

The guest list also included supporters Tonia Buxton, Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, Guardian writer Simon Hattenstone, Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist Aliki Chrysochou and New York Times bestselling author Susannah Cahalan, whose memoir, Brain on Fire, is being turned into a Hollywood film.

Rebecca, a supporter of The Society ever since her sister Laura was affected by Encephalitis, said: "It was a fantastic evening and a fitting end to what has been a wonderful year for The Encephalitis Society. Here is to the next 21 years."

Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, affects around 6,000 people in the UK each year. For more information, visit encephalitis.info