Thousands of people packed onto Walmer Green today (Sunday) for the annual visit of the Band of HM Royal Marines to the Deal Memorial Bandstand.

It was an early start for many people in the audience and Brenda Bradley from Deal, armed with two tables, was setting up tables at 6am for a party later for family and friends.

Among the guests was the Commandant General Royal Marines Major General Edward Davis, who is also the Captain of Deal Castle.

He watched the band's performance and also laid a wreath during the dedication service for the bandstand, which was built as a memorial to the 11 musicians who died in an IRA explosion at the Royal Marines School of Music in Deal in 1989.

It was the Commandant General's first visit to Deal and he said: "It has been a great family day, with beautiful music.

"It has been fantastic to be here to show we care as much as the local people do about the Royal Marines. It is good to continue the living tribute every year and so important."

The concert ended with a chance to wave Union Jacks to a series of favourite compositions, including Rule Britannia.

* Buy the East Kent Mercury on Thursday for a special 12-page feature about the concert on the Deal Memorial Bandstand.