Rock band The White Stripes played an unlikely gig today for an audience of Chelsea pensioners.

The US duo performed an acoustic set to the delight - if slight bemusement - of a group of veterans in the plush confines of the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London.

One of the more surreal gigs in the music annals took place in the same State Apartments where Mozart once performed.

The new White Stripes album, Icky Thump, is strongly influenced by all things British - its title is derived from the Yorkshire phrase 'ecky thump - and the band decided to offer the pensioners an afternoon matinee ahead of tonight's gig at the Rivoli Ballroom in south London.

All profits from tonight's show will be donated to the Chelsea Pensioners'Appeal and will be put towards a new infirmary for the site.

Jack and Meg White opened with Apple Blossom and Hotel Yorba before playing You Belong To Me and St James Infirmary Blues.

I Can Tell That We Are Gonna Be Friends and Battle of the Bollweevil rounded things off.

Jack seemed genuinely moved to be playing before such a distinguished audience.

"Thanks for letting us into your home, we really appreciate it," he told the pensioners, before telling them how grateful he was for the
contribution they had made during the wars.

If the residents weren't aware of the Stripes' global appeal ahead of the concert - "I haven't the foggiest," admitted white-haired Victor Farminer early on-they were certainly sold by the end.

"Fantastic! Normally we only get the odd carol service in here," said pensioner Paddy Fox.

The image of screen siren Rita Hayworth, emblazoned across the reverse of Jack's guitar, also helped the two groups to bond.

"If I remember who she is, I know you guys do," he told them.

The White Stripes headline the sold-out Wireless Festival in London's Hyde Park this Thursday.