A 75-year-old semi-retired Wyre Forest pig farmer temporarily left behind his rural lifestyle to mix with mega celebrities including John Travolta and Tom Cruise at a star-studded event.

John Simmonds, of Callow Hill, Rock, and his wife, Pat, attended a Scientologists' fund-raising gala ball and concert in West Sussex as guests of their granddaughter, who works for the faith.

One of the highlights of the night was an impromptu dance performed by Travolta - star of hit movies, Grease and Saturday Night Fever - with his wife, film actress, Kelly Preston, to the soul classic, Stand By Me.

Tom Cruise - like Travolta a member of the controversial Scientologist church - also jetted in for the event at the faith's East Grinstead headquarters, in West Sussex. Cruise's pregnant fiance Katie Holmes also attended.

Mr Simmonds said his granddaughter, Rachel Durrant, had been asking him and his wife to go down to visit her for some time but they were hardly prepared for the scale of the event, held a week ago last Sunday.

"It was like being thrown into a film, almost," said Mr Simmonds, "There were people from all over the world there.

"I think there must have been 5,000 to 6,000 people there - it was absolutely full."

Although he saw Travolta and Cruise, he said: "I didn't get close enough to speak to them."

He added: "I didn't know anything about who was performing at the concert. We just went for our granddaughter's sake."

Charities were the winners on the night, as a series of cheques were presented to various causes, including for people whose lives had undergone upheaval in the wake of London's July 7 bombings.

The Sheriff of New Orleans, Harry Lee, also collected a cheque for £40,000 from Travolta to provide aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The Pulp Fiction star and his wife had helped in the relief effort immediately after the hurricane had struck.

Scientology has attracted its critics, who have labelled it a cult but Mr and Mrs Simmonds said no-one attempted to persuade them to adopt the faith.

"There was absolutely no pressure whatsoever," Mr Simmonds explained. "It was made quite clear that was not the intention.

"We're Methodists ourselves. I'm happy to go into any church - it's the same God."

Although he is vice-chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, Mr Simmonds did not attend the Scientology event in his official capacity. It was a private, family visit.