It takes more than a freak storm to put the battle-hardened Gurkhas off their stride.

Britain's famous fighting force from Nepal amply demonstrated their adapatability when their band's plans for Beating Retreat at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was washed out by a cloudburst.

But within an hour they were assembled and ready to go at an alternative indoor concert at the college's newly-opened theatre.

As guests were handed umbrellas en route to a reception in the officers' mess, the Gurkhas' band members were already tuning up ready for the concert they never expected to give.

Director of music Captain Neil Morgan won praise for the speed with which the show had been restaged.

The Gurkhas, who have served Britain as a fighting force for 186 years, were in Harrogate to boost a money-raising event for the Army Benevolent Fund. It was also to have included a freefall parachute display by the 4th Battalion Parachute Regiment, but that had to be cancelled because of low cloud.

At a reception after the concert, the Gurkhas won praise from hundreds at the event for their swift "about turn".

The evening raised money for the fund which aims to net more than £100,000 in the North this year.

* The Gurkhas became a British fighting force after a war against the Honourable East India Company in 1816. Afterwards, they decided they would rather fight with the British than against them, and have served the Crown ever since.