A THRILLING spectacle of traditional military music is set to blast through the streets of Preston this month as soldiers from Fulwood Barracks prepare for the annual Beating Retreat event.

The lively gala weekend, backed by The Citizen, kicks off on Saturday (June 24) with sparkling military music performed by some of the army's finest bandsmen.

Gates open at 5.30pm with pre-event entertainment by massed bands of the Combined Cadet Forces, under the baton of Captain Ian Robertson.

A flying start is promised as the Prince of Wales Own Regiment of Yorkshire's freefall parachute display team descend from the sky trailing smoke before landing in the main arena.

This will signal the event's director of music, Capt Peter Smith, to lead a colourful pageantry of bands performing traditional numbers such as Holyrood and regional regimental music including the Red Rose and The Kingsman.

But the packed programme of entertainment will open in traditional style with members of the Massed Bugles of the King's and Cheshire Regiment and the 1st Battalion the Queen's Lancashire Regiment. This will be followed by music from The Lancashire Artillery Volunteers Band; The North West Infantry Band of the King's and Cheshire Regiment; The Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion The Queen's Lancashire Regiment and The Corps of Drums of The King's and Cheshire Regiment.

On Sunday, June 25, soldiers will present a feast of entertainment, which will include displays and music for the Millennium Forces Open Day, to demonstrate the breadth of activities they undertake as members of the British Army.

Spectators can enjoy a friendly battle of four of the North West's infantry regiments competing in a bridge building contest, while the emergency services will demonstrate their skills during a special rescue scenario.

There will also be a living history display from The Great War Society, a veteran motors inspection event courtesy of The Historic Military Vehicle Society, and the site's museum will be open throughout the day highlighting the part played in the Boer War by the Lancashire regiments now amalgamated into the QLR.

Limited parking will be available on the Sunday at the PNE ground in Deepdale Road, Preston.