FOUR of the area's top groups ended up singing in the rain on Sunday in a bid to raise funds for the British Red Cross.

But the weather failed to dampen the spirits of Goosebumps, Arthur Kay and the Originals, Hot Rods 'n' Dragsters or saxophone player Ivan Thompson and the All Stars.

Drenched: Hot Rods 'n' Dragsters at the British Red Cross fundraiser Bands on the Stand in Dane John Gardens, Canterbury, on Sunday and little Coral Nye, 3, shelters from the rain in Dane John Gardens, left CTAC220810music-10/14
Bands on the Stand in Dane John gardens in aid of British Red Cross. organiser Adam Lynch with Arthur k and the originals
Bands on the Stand in Dane John gardens in aid of British Red Cross. - Adam Lynch and volunteers in designer one off stall.
Bands on the Stand in Dane John gardens in aid of British Red Cross. - 3yr old Coral Nye from canterbury

It was jive and swing group Goosebumps' sax-player Adam Lynch, 26, who had arranged the Bands on the Stand gig in Canterbury's Dane John Gardens.

He said: "We did one last year for Cancer Research UK and decided to repeat it this year for the British Red Cross because they do such a brilliant job."

His girlfriend, who works in the Canterbury branch, rustled up secondhand clothes then tweaked them to sell.

Ska band Arthur Kay, who are closing the Herne Bay Festival this Saturday on the seafront stage at 5pm were invited, along with rockabilly band Hot Rods 'n' Dragsters.

Also on the bandstand stage was Ivan Thompson, sax player with Hullabaloo, and four top session musicians playing soul and funk.

Arthur Kay, from Whitstable, said: "It was brilliant. It was a great day."