A military marching band gave a Federation of Master Builders Christmas ball a touch of the proms.

The most patriotic construction event of the 2004 was undoubtedly the Federation of Master Builders London’s Christmas Ball.

A rousing performance from a British Army marching band turned the FMB’s annual dinner dance into a full on recreation of the Last Night of the Proms.

Entering stage right in full regalia, the Minden Band of the Queen’s Division played a barnstroming medley of military and christmas tunes including perennial crowd pleasers Rule Britannia and the theme from the Dambusters.

The stirring music had FMB members standing to attention and proudly waving their national flags. Spotted among the throng was the ODPM’s Paul Everall, who is clearly determined to enjoy the hospitality of the construction industry before he retires later this year.

Everall now has another cause for celebration - last week he received a knighthood in the new year's honours list.