COMEDIAN Bill Bailey will top the bill at a fundraising ball in aid of orangutans.

The musical comic, familiar to millions for his TV work, will headline the Orange Tie Ball at The Big Bang restaurant in the Oxford Castle Quarter on Saturday, November 24.

The event will raise money for the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS), which is based in Oxford. The charity helps raise awareness of the endangered apes and campaigns to help protect their rainforest home, which is threatened by logging and the cultivation of palm oil.

Mr Bailey, a passionate supporter of the rainforests, said: “I have a huge amount of respect for SOS and the tireless work it does to improve the lot of Sumatra’s dwindling orangutan population. The work of SOS is now more vitally important than ever.”

Guests at the ball will be treated to traditional Indonesian music and dance and a three course dinner.

There will also be a fundraising auction, followed by live music.

For more information and tickets, see orangutans-sos.org