FOR one local soldier, this year's spectacular Beating Retreat has a special significance

Colonel Bernard Stam is a regional fundraiser for the Army Benevolent Fund, and looks to the event to raise much needed cash for the charity.

But, at 62, Colonel Stam, of Cottam, is leaving the job he has done for almost a decade, and this year's military spectacular at Fulwood Barracks will be about the sixtieth he has seen around the North West.

Colonel Stam said: "They're all different and unique. It's the mixture of different bands and different music.

"All the proceeds from the whole night go to the ABF. It looks as though we will clear at least £6,000. We want as many of the public along as possible. It's free after all!"

The army benevolent fund pays for the welfare of regular and territorial army soldiers, and their families, but all the cash is raised from handouts from the public.

Beating Retreat is one of the largest events in the region, and will go a long way to raising the £100,000 needed by the ABF in the North West each year.

But despite seeing as many of the ceremonies as he has, he still looks forward to each event, and said he will still be stood in the crowds after his retirement.

He said: "Even after 60 events I still enjoy them and I probably will still enjoy them in retirement. I've seen a lot of events, around 60 or 70 Beating Retreats in my time with the ABF. But they've all been enjoyable.

"They're all different and I know the public does enjoy good military bands playing good military music."

Colour, music, marching and displays are the order of the day at Fulwood Barracks, Watling Street Road, Preston. Gates open at 5.30pm, admission is free but all donations are welcome.