THOUSANDS of people helped raise an incredible amount of money for charity at a spectacular proms night held in the grounds of a famous castle.

A crowd of 10,000 enjoyed the 15th annual Battle Proms open air picnic concert on Saturday at Highclere Castle, the set of ITV's Downton Abbey.

The event raised more than £9,000 for veteran's mental health charity Combat Stress.

Visitors enjoyed a full programme of classical music, including the Battle Proms signature piece - Beethoven's Battle Symphony - performed as he intended with the full complement of 193 live firing cannon, which provided a thunderous percussion.

The New English Concert Orchestra, conducted by Douglas Coombes, performed Nimrod by Elgar, accompanied by a choreographed spitfire display.

This year the Napoleonic Association joined the Battle Proms fresh from the battlefields of Waterloo, where they had participated in the Waterloo 200 programme of events, while Crown & Empire were also on hand with cavalry displays showing the skills that would have been seen in Belgium 200 years ago.

Each year the concert raises funds for Combat Stress, which specialises in helping veterans of the armed forces and merchant navy with psychological injuries caused through service to their country.

This year a total of £9,392.64 was raised from audience donations.

Amie Allen, of Combat Stress, said: "The Battle Proms is one of the highlights in our fundraising calendar and we are always amazed at the generosity of the Highclere Castle Battle prommers, many of whom are regulars.

"The thousands raised from the concerts over the last 11 years is vital in helping to provide specialist clinical treatment for veterans suffering from psychological injuries and we would like to thank everyone for their support."

The fundraising was boosted by a raffle, with prizes including a once-in-a-lifetime experience of visiting the set of Downton Abbey, to meet the cast of the award winning television series and get a behind-the-scenes look as some of the final episodes are filmed.

Emma Dexter, marketing manager for JSL Productions - Even Management, said: "We have been thrilled with the ongoing success of the Highclere Castle Battle Proms. It's wonderful to host a concert in such a spectacular setting."