Pop princesses Girls Aloud, perhaps the biggest act to play Battle in recent years, proved a huge draw, with 7,000 fans from across the country flocking to see the sexy singers belt out their huge selection of hits.

Ticket sales for the Saturday night concert were up 1,500 on last year.

But the numbers of people attending this year's Sunday proms, suffered a drop.

In 2007, 6,500 turned out to watch the proms extravaganza, led by opera superstar Lesley Garrett.

But this year the lack of a big name meant a smaller crowd of 4,000, although this didn't seem to deter the enthusiastic Battle Abbey Proms fans.

Early on Sunday, the dismal weather looked like it may put a dampener on the proceedings.

But it stopped raining in the afternoon and dried up quickly, enabling visitors to enjoy the rich variety of music on offer, courtesy of the English National Orchestra, conducted by Jae Alexander.

Making a welcome return to the Abbey after a two year absence, Jae was joined by singer Janet Mooney and Wynne Evans, principal tenor from the Welsh National Opera.

This year's concert also marks the return of organisers Musical Associates, who last produced the two-day spectacular in 2005.

Producer Andrew Wyke said the team were happy to be back at the Abbey.

He said: "For us, it's great to be back in Battle.

"It's three years since we were there and it's good to be back.

"We had a great time and it was a good audience."

Mr Wyke said the number of ticket sales were what the team had expected and believes the concerts delivered the music goods to fans.

He said: "They were completely different acts, which was a nice thing.

"It was good to be able to do something and have completely different audiences come to it.

"The crowd reaction was fantastic.

"To see Girls Aloud, for many people on their doorstep, was brilliant, because a lot of people have to go to London to see them."

Mr Wyke promised the Proms would return next summer and says Musical Associates is trying to find an act which will match the success of the five-piece girl group in 2009.

He said: "We will certainly keep the proms because it has a popular following and is good fun and next year we are going for an act which is as popular as Girls Aloud."

The line up for next year's concerts will be announced in early 2009.