Thousands of people basked in the sunshine for a memorial concert to honour 11 bandsmen who died in an IRA bomb attack.

Photographs show the 'spectacular' turnout for this year's Marines on the Green event, back for the first time since 2019 due to Covid.

Spectators enjoyed music from the Royal Marines Band Service, a flypast from a Spitfire, video footage to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, as well as a rededication to the Memorial Bandstand.

Derek Lindars, chairman of Deal Memorial Bandstand trust, said the day 'exceeded expectations'.

He said: "The weather was glorious on Sunday when the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines returned to the Deal Memorial Bandstand after a three year absence due to Covid.

"The weather meant that thousands turned up to enjoy what was a spectacular concert and to join in the service of remembrance for the 11 Royal Marines Musicians who died as a result of the IRA terrorist attack on the Deal Barracks on September 22 1989.

"The bond between the people of Deal and the Royal Marines remains as strong as ever.

"Before the concert started, the audience were thrilled to see the Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight carry out a low and exciting fly past along the coast of Deal."

Those in attendance included councillors, MP Natalie Elphicke, the Lord Warden, Admiral of the Fleet, The Lord Boyce, the Commandant General Royal Marines, Lieutenant General Rob Magowan, plus many serving and former Royal Marines.

The concerts on Walmer Green are held in honour of the 11 musicians killed when the IRA detonated its bomb at the barracks of the Royal Marines School of Music in Canada Road in 1989.

Ten young bandsmen were killed that day and the 11th succumbed to his injuries in the weeks that followed.

Nobody has ever been brought to justice.

The first of the concerts was in June 1991.

This was before approval was granted for what is now Deal Memorial Bandstand at the end of that year.

With a raft of public support and donations, work started on August 18, 1992 and the opening concert at the 'living memorial' was on May 2, 1993.

The structure was built with 11 sides, each of which remembers a victim with a plaque.