MUSIC lovers are being offered the chance to help repay a nation's soldiers who have supported Britain in conflicts across the world.

The band of the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Gurkha Rifles are to play at Darlington College of Technology next Friday.

All proceeds from the concert, starting at 7.30pm, will go to the Gurkha Welfare Trust which supports old soldiers and their widows in Nepal.

The band is in the region for the passing-out parade of 250 Gurkhas from Catterick Garrison.

Money will also go towards building schools, installing water supplies, constructing bridges and providing medical assistance. The trust spends £5m a year in Nepal.

The 50-strong band will play a selection of tunes from military to popular classics, and also Nepalese music.

Gurkha memorabilia will be on sale, including a raffle of three silver kukri knives.

Tickets cost £10 and are available by calling (01325) 503114.

Published: 22/10/2004