GALLERY: Beating Retreat, Newhaven Fort

The event was organised by the Newhaven and Seaford Sea Cadets to help raise money for a new HQ.

They currently parade at the former chapel in Chapel Street which, they say, is too cold in winter and hot in summer.

Last year part of the roof collapsed.

The cadets have set themselves a 1 million target for more suitable surroundings.

Almost 500 people saw the Band of HM Royal Marines, Portsmouth, perform Beating Retreat with the finale featuring Sunset and the Lowering of the Colours.

There was also a field gun display by the cadets, a performance by the National Sea Cadet Band champions, TS Vigilant of Whitstable, followed by a physical training display featuring cutlasses and the hornpipe by the Sea Cadet National PT Team.

Other guests at the event included the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Phyllida Stewart Roberts, 96-year-old Dieppe Raid veteran General 'Tiny' Haughton, Commander Gary Bushell, the Southern Area Sea Cadet Officer and his deputy, Major Andy Henderson.

Also there were the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field, who has agreed to be patron of the new building fund, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Hugh Burnett, the chairman of Lewes District Council, Cllr Carla Butler and the mayors of Newhaven, Seaford and Lewes.

Cadets' spokesman Amanda Wilkins said: 'The event was a huge success.'

Fort manager Simon Cochran added: 'It was really a very good day for Newhaven because you do not normally get the Royal Marines and Dame Vera Lynn visiting the town.'

A bucket collection raised 817 while the amount from ticket sales is still being counted.