They came in their thousands to see UB40 - what they mainly got was Wet, Wet, Wet.

The famed reggae band, renowned for a string of hits, such as Red Red Wine and Can't Help Falling in Love, sold out their gig at Rochester Castle within minutes. And black market tickets were changing hands for many times their face value.

It all started so well. Rochester was hotter than even Kingston Town in Jamaica and the group's familiar riffs and rhythms were as welcomed by the muddy Medway as the crystal Caribbean.

But then a tropical deluge more typical of the West Indies erupted. A pre-show warning about the use of strobe lighting was particularly apt -the effects were not needed, lightning did the job.

As the thunder boomed and the rain cascaded,the gig was suspended.

Although frontman Ali Campbell and the boys later returned, many of the audience had left, drenched to the skin.

The commonest complaint was, that given the forecast and the visible evidence of an approaching storm, the support act, The Soul Traders, should have cut short their set.

UB40 should have been ushered on stage at least half an hour earlier to ensure value for money for the audience who ranged in age from dub, ska students to pop fan pensioners.

Then at least being sopping wet would not felt as bad as being short-changed.

But at the end of the day, in an interview for the Medway Messenger, original member Ali Campbell said he never tired of belting out the hits that spiralled them to world-wide fame.

In a statement, Richard Hicks deputy director or regeneration, community and culture at Medway Council, said: "It is a real shame that despite a lovely hot day that continued long into the evening a sudden and very powerful electric storm came in.

"We had no choice, but to immediately switch off the generators as the electrical equipment could have attracted fork lightning.

"Messages were on the big screen about what we would do if there was a storm while the acts played as a precaution and when this powerful electrical storm hit last night we had no choice but to switch off all power and take UB40 off stage for their own safety.

"This is very similar to what happened at the Glastonbury festival this year and the organisers acted similarly.

"We were glad that the storm passed quickly though and that UB40 were able to come back on, battle the elements and play a great 35 minute set.

"Those that stayed really got into it and adopted an almost Glastonbury festival style spirit."

This is the message displayed on the giant screens next to the stage ahead of UB40's performance at the Castle Concerts.

'In the event of adverse weather this evening it may be necessary to temporarily stop the show in order to preserve and safeguard technical equipment. Should this occur, we hope to be able to return to live music as soon as possible and thank you in advance for your patience.'