A pipe band played an impromptu musical lament for one of their members who died suddenly - minutes before a charity ­concert.

Colin Mackenzie collapsed ­outside Rochester Cathedral on Saturday evening. He had been due to perform with the City of Rochester Pipe band at the event in aid of the Wisdom Hospice.

Mr Mackenzie, 57, of Snodhurst Avenue, Chatham, was waiting outside the cathedral with the rest of the band when he complained of feeling unwell. Moments later he collapsed.

A fellow band member tried desperately to revive him and was later helped by two off-duty paramedics but they were ­unable to save him. It is thought he ­suffered a heart attack.

The pipe band had to open the concert while paramedics were still trying to save Mr Mackenzie. When they were told he had died they gathered on the green outside the cathedral and played a classic Scots lament as he was taken away in an ambulance.

Pipe Major Tony Daniel said: "The paramedics did a great job. They worked on him for a long time. But unfortunately they couldn't save him.

"One of the members said we should play one of his favourites songs. So we did, we stood on the green by the cathedral and played Hector the Hero."

Mr Mackenzie's girlfriend Susie was with him when he died.

Mr Daniel said: "His poor girlfriend was distraught. Susie was the love of his life. They hadn't been together very long. It was heart-wrenching seeing her there holding his hand.

"Everyone in the band is in shock. Colin was a staunch member. He lived for the band and never missed a practice."

Beryl Kinnersley, who was at the cathedral to hear her granddaughter sing, said: "It was awful. They put a screen up so people couldn't see anything and ushered people into the cathedral through another entrance.

"It was so sad. I think it was very brave of the rest of the band to carry on, they must have had so much strength to do that."

Mr Mackenzie, who is thought to have a grown-up son, had been a member of the City of Rochester Pipe Band for nine years.

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