TWO Brighton and Hove Albion stars were among the guests at a celebration event thrown by the Seagulls’ official charity.

Gully’s Days Out, which provides fun days out for young people and adults with additional needs, is one of Albion in the Community's (AITC) most popular schemes.

Supported by American Express, it has more than 500 members and during 2016 visited a host of local attractions with staff from American Express volunteering on each trip.

To celebrate the end of the year AITC and American Express organised a party at the Amex Stadium which was attended by more than 100 members and their families.

Albion first team players Uwe Hünemeier and Oliver Norwood took time out of their busy schedule to attend the event, posing for photographs and signing autographs.

Elsewhere at the event, Gully’s Days Out members were given the chance to meet animals, including guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, hedgehogs and a chinchilla.

There was also face painting, arts and crafts, a photo booth, children’s entertainer and table football as well as party food and an appearance from Gully, the Seagulls’ official mascot.

Paul Brackley, who heads Gully’s Days Out for AITC, was delighted with how the event went and said the charity was looking forward to another successful year of Gully’s Days Out trips.

He said: "It was great to welcome so many of our members and their families to the stadium for our end of year party and having Uwe and Oliver come along made it extra special.

"It was also nice to be able to celebrate with a number of our volunteers from American Express.

"Throughout the year they provide valuable respite to our members’ families or carers while making the trips as enjoyable as possible for the members themselves. Gully’s Days Out really would not be the success it is without American Express and we are hugely grateful for the company’s continued support."

AITC is now accepting membership for 2017.

For more information call 01273 668590 or email: gullysdayout@albioninthecommunity.org.uk

There is a £15 annual membership fee for Gully’s Days Out.

Once paid, members can go on as many days out as they like for no extra cost.