Birthday girl Julia has organised a charity fundraiser to tie in with the premiere of the film in the Radway.

Bollinger and donations are the hor d’eourves of the day as a huge Absolutely Fabulous fan takes over the Radway to raise money for charity.

Julia Hardy came up with the idea to celebrate her birthday by asking friends to not give presents but donations to Devon Freewheelers when she hosts the event this evening (Friday).

Some 80 people will be joining her, dressed up as characters from the hit TV show, which has been transferred to the big screen and will receive its premiere screening at the Radway tonight.

Julia has also organised a raffle and bubble bar which the film’s characters Patsy and Eddie, played by Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders, would be proud of.

The birthday girl said: “I wanted to do something to raise money for my birthday. There was a 24-mile walk for a different charity then I thought Absolutely Fabulous is on and I wouldn’t be doing the walk if I was going to Ab Fab and I wanted to go to Ab Fab.

“I thought, I can sell the tickets for the balcony and give that part to the Devon Freewheelers.”

Julia is hoping to raise at least £400 through ticket sales and proceeds from the raffle and bubble bar.

She said: “I’m just pretty much addicted to it and the characters. I had to be Eddie. I’m naturally like her.

“I think there will be some over-the-top costumes on the evening.”

Julia learnt about the work of the Freewheelers through her friend Sue Cade, and wanted to raise money for the charity.

Devon Freewheelers provides an emergency courier service transferring blood and other emergency items to the NHS.

The charity will have its blood bikes set up outside the cinema.

Amanda Marks, manager at the Radway, said the event is expecting 250 people to pack into seats for the screening.

She said: “It’s a massive charity night for the Freewheelers.

“It’s great to get the community together. It’s a really good idea.”

Raffle prizes have been donated by businesses across the Sid Valley. Prizes include:

- £75 full car valet

-£20 dining voucher

-Eve Taylor facial

- 30 minute treatment

-£20 vouchers

-Katie Loxton aromatherapy candle

- Aim for the moon mug

- 2x Kayak or paddleboard sessions

-Vintage Sidmouth poster

- 2x Hydrospa sessions

- 2x fish and chip night dinners

-Tretment voucher

- Wine

- Baylis and Harding gift set

-Sanctuary Spa gift set

-Arthur Price designer corkscrew

-Arthur Price funky fish nutcracker

-Inis toiletries set

- Coat hooks set

- Dotty Home china tea cups

- Spaceform love plaques

- Disney collectables

-Ab Fab sountrack CD

- Ab Fab poster

- £30 dining voucher