The 1066 Pipes and Drums became the first non-military band to be allowed to play underneath Big Ben during the trip on Wednesday.

Pipe major Jon Bartholomew and councillor Phil Scott, the bands president, led the 20-strong delegation after Michael Foster MP had arranged for them to meet the speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin.

The group caused quite a stir - with tourists and foreign delegates alike posing for photographs with the pipers who were dressed in full costume.

Their performance drew a large crowd, with people gathering on the bridge over the nearby Thames to get a look at the group.

In fact, it went down so well that Mr Martin, himself a keen bagpipe player, has even hinted he may head down to Hastings in the future to take part in a performance himself.

He has also agreed to become 1066 Pipes and Drums patron - meaning his personal seal can now be used on the groups headed paper.

The trip was organised after one of the group saw Mr Martin on television talking of his love of bagpipes.

Michael Foster MP gave the group a tour of the House of Commons and the cllr Scott heralded the trip a great success.

He said: "It is a great honour for the band to have such a well respected politician such as Michael Martin become its patron.

"The band was very excited about the visit and the fact they were able to play within the grounds and below Big Ben was fantastic.

"I would like to thank Michael and Rosemary Foster for their help in making this visit to take place"

Pipe major Jon Bartholomew, who is also Hastings town crier, was among a smaller group of six members who were given a private audience with the speaker.

He said: "This really is something to shout about. To be allowed to play within the grounds of the Commons was a great bonus for us and we are very honoured the speaker has agreed to become the bands patron."