The Fairmont Southampton Princess was a sea of gluttony yesterday as hundreds of sweet-toothed participants gorged themselves on a mountainous spread of chocolate treats at the Women's Resource Centre "Chocolate Fools Day" fundraiser.

Chocoholics spent the afternoon staggering from station to station sampling the wares of a host of local chocolatiers ? before giving their swollen stomachs a much needed respite at the event's specially arranged fashion show and balloon raffle.

Organiser and executive director of the WRC Penny Dill pronounced the day a "fantastic success" while revealing the funds will go towards the day to day running costs of the burgeoning female support group.

"It went very well and we sold around 800 tickets," she said.

"Unfortunately, I only had time to sample a couple of pieces but there were many others who made the most of what was on offer. You could basically eat as much as you could stomach."

The chocolate was presented in a multitude of forms, both liquid and solid, while there were a sizeable collection of impressively intricate chocolate statues ? as well as a separate children's room where youngsters could stuff themselves silly away from the prying eyes of disapproving parents.

"The response from the local hospitality and retail community was overwhelming and I cannot thank them enough," Ms Dill said.

Participating chocolatiers for the event included Butterfield and Vallis, Cafe Godiva, Caffe Latte, Dunkley's Dairy, Fairmont Southampton Resort, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Food 4 Thought, Goslings, La Coquille, Marketplace, Pitt & Company, Portofino's, The Reefs, The Cake Shop, The Original Horton's Bermuda Rum Cake and Wyndham Resort.