Texaco's Pembroke refinery will celebrate 40 years of operations by attempting to raise £40,000 for charity this year, bringing the total raised for local charities since 1992 to £500,000.

Phil Thompson, public affairs advisor, Texaco, announced the fund-raising goal at Saturday evening's musical event 'A Night at the Movies', which included a performance by the Texaco-sponsored Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra and was held in partnership with the Rotary Club of Pembroke celebrating 50 years of the Rotary Club of Pembroke and 40 years of Texaco supporting the local community.

"We recognise that in our business, we are reliant on the support and trust of the community. Since we have always worked closely with local people and charities, it seemed appropriate to set a fund-raising target of £40,000 for this year, our 40th year of operations in Pembroke," Mr Thompson said.

"The community has always supported local charity events sponsored by Texaco and Saturday's performance arranged through the Rotary Club of Pembroke was no exception. The sell-out audience was treated to a wonderful evening of entertainment and gave the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra a standing ovation."

The event helped to get Texaco's sponsorship for fund-raising in the local community off to a great start by raising £5,500 for the Rotary Club of Pembroke charitable fund, which as a direct result is able to fund a new Sensory Room for the Special Needs pupils at Pembroke School and other local projects.

Supporters of the event included Folly Farm, who generously supplied the venue free of charge. Thanks go to them and to Lloyd James (Pembroke Dock Jewellers) for the loan of the grand piano, Dyfed Removals for transporting the piano and the Pembroke branch of HSBC for ticket administration and mailing.

President of the Rotary Club of Pembroke, Jonathan Rogers, commented: "We are very pleased that such a substantial amount has been raised as a direct result of Texaco sponsorship and and are pleased to have entertained so many people at the same time.

"We are very grateful to everyone who assisted us and look forward to another 40 years of continued support by Texaco of our charitable purposes and others in our local community."

To help reach the £40,000 fund-raising target, Texaco will be holding the following events in 2004:

• Texaco's Tenpin Blindfold Challenge for the RNIB - March/April.

• Tenby charity concert for the Soroptimists - April 3.

• Texaco Charity Challenge weekend at Folly Farm - May 29-31.

• Open air Proms in the Park, Saundersfoot - June 5 and Scolton Manor - July 10.

The year's fund-raising will conclude at Folly Farm with three nights of entertainment on October 23, 27 and 30.