Band and Bugles of The Rifles Sound the Retreat with a twist at Cyprus base

The Band and Bugles of The Rifles have performed the ancient military custom of Sounding Retreat in Cyprus.

The occasion was also marked with performances from the Band of the Cypriot National Guard, 1 Lancs Corps of Drums and the Military Wives Choir.

Sounding the Retreat dates to the 17th century and was used as a signal for patrolling units to return to base, but this is the first time this tradition has taken place at the British military base in Dhekelia.

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Colour Serjeant Aaron Keely, who leads the Band and Bugles of The Rifles, said it would originally have been sounded when the unit would mark the closing of the gates for the evening when The Rifles would be billeted within a town within a walled city and the gates would close at 6 o'clock".

It was also the first time the Band of the Cypriot National Guard have played with a band from another nation.

The Rifles Sounds the Retreat using the bugle – an instrument forming a fundamental part of the regiment's history.