HOODED thugs attacked members of a much-loved military band after they performed one of their last concerts.

The Normandy Band of the Queen's Division, based at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, will disappear in the New Year, a victim of defence cutbacks.

They play regularly at functions across the region and further afield, including Rugby, Warwickshire, where their annual charity concert has raised almost £30,000 over the past six years.

But after the final show there, they were the victims of a violent incident when bottle-throwing hoodies left three of the band needing hospital treatment.

Director of music Captain Kevin Roberts was knocked unconscious and needed five stitches in his face. Two other band members also needed treatment for cuts and bruises.

Four of the band had gone to a kebab shop in the town after attending a reception following their concert, when they were attacked by a group of between eight and ten thugs.

"We certainly weren't expecting it, and it was a sad end to the concerts - but we've had a lot of support from the town," Capt Roberts said yesterday.

"There have apparently been a lot of incidents with gangs down there. One good thing is that now a lot of attention is being focussed on the problem."

The Normandy Band, along with the King's Division Waterloo Band - also Catterick-based - will both be disbanded early in the New Year as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

The Ministry of Defence is reducing the number of military bands worldwide from 30 to 23 and both the Catterick bands will go, although they will be replaced by a single new band.

Together, the bands number around 70 personnel and although some will join the new band, many are being assigned to other jobs.

The last scheduled performance of the Normandy Band is at a carol service in St Mary's Church, Richmond, on December 7, although hopes are high that a farewell proms-style concert, possibly a joint one, can be held in January.

The band was created about ten years ago, although it can trace its antecedents back to the 17th Century