MILITARY youth bands marched in honour of Monck400, to bring a year's celebration of the 400th anniversary of the birth of General George Monck to a close.

The 'Salute to Monck' was the final in a number of events in Merton celebrating the anniversary of the birth of George Monck, the first duke of Abermarle.

The Merton village tattoo provided a military musical tribute to Monck from Barnstaple Town Marching Band, Bideford Youth Pipes and Drums and Plymouth Marine Cadets Corps of Drums and Rifles.

The salute was the culmination of a number of events that had been arranged throughout the year, which included 17th century cookery classes, an open house at Great Potheridge where Monck was born and a Merton village history day.

The final event had many guests including Deputy Lord Lieutenant Rachael Thomas CBE, regimental colonel of the Coldstream Guards Major General J J C Bucknell CBE, and three direct descendants of Monck, Geoff, Charlie and George Monck, as well as nearly 200 members of the public.

A commemorative stone, marking the birth of Monck was unveiled and is to be placed outside the entrance to Merton Village Hall.

The final salute, and the other events of the year, were organised by the Monck400 committee who received a grant from the Lottery fund, Awards for All.

Philip Collins, chairman of the Monck400 committee, said: 'The year has been a tremendous success and has met the requirements of commemorating and identifying Monck with the village.'

l Pictured left are the youth bands in ceremonial regalia.