Paris Hilton swaps bikinis for a ball gown

She's been a bikini-clad fixture at Malibu beach, but now Paris Hilton has resumed her other favourite pasttime - posing on the red carpet.

At least this time the Simple Life had frocked up for a good cause; she attended a benefit for young people affected by spinal cord injury, finally making good on her promise to do more for charity.

While the heiress, who wore a monochrome ball gown complete with dazzling jewels, arrived for the evening alone, she recently won the affection of Australian surfer Tyler Atkins.

She has remained tight lipped on her budding romance, but Atkins, who was last week spotted with relaxing with Hilton on the forshore of her Malibu beach house, couldn't help but gush about the starlet.

Atkins, who also describes himself as a fashion designer, recently told Australian magazine, Who: "She is a really smart, amazing girl and we share similar interests."

"We have been hanging out at the beach, talking about fashion and it has been lots of fun."

He concluded: "She's a cool girl and we're having a really great time enjoying each other's company."

After serving 23 days in prison for drink-driving offences last month, the former inmate is also set to return to work.

New reports suggest Hilton she is preparing to record a new album, despite disappointing sales first self titled record, which sold just 600,000 copies.