A date has been set for the annual visit to Deal Memorial Bandstand by the Band of Royal Marines Portsmouth.

On Sunday, July 12, the performance on Walmer Green will mark the 20th year since the IRA bombed the School of Music, murdering 11 servicemen.

“It will be a day of mixed emotions,” said Bill Butler, vice-chairman of the bandstand trust.

“After they left Deal in 1996 the Royal Marines kept their promise to visit the bandstand every year.

“Their performance on July 12 will make the occasion of the 20th anniversary programme of music, in memory of those 11 men, even more special.”

Mr Butler believes the special anniversary performance will attract a crowd of 10,000 people. He added: “The trust hope that the occasion will prove a fitting one to formally open the refurbished bandstand.”

There is also good news this week for the trust’s Support Our Bandstand appeal, a Mercury-backed campaign.

Deal county councillors Mike Eddy and Terry Birkett confirmed their recommendation for help for the charity had been rubber-stamped.

A cheque for £5,000 from the KCC’s Local Schemes Grants will help pay for construction work on the bandstand, which was built in memory of the Royal Marines who died in 1989.