PATRIOTIC Spa folk joined to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

People across the area celebrated and remembered Britain's most famous naval hero, Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, and his victory over French forces.

Beacons were lit at St Augustine's Church on Church Road, the highest point within the town boundaries, on Friday at 7pm. The ceremony coincided with others throughout the country starting at Portsmouth alongside Nelson's beloved flagship, HMS Victory.

The famous battle off Cape Trafalgar, near Cadiz in southern Spain, pitched the Royal Navy against combined fleets of France and Spain. During the battle Nelson died after being shot by a French marksman as he stood on the deck of HMS Victory.

Following the lighting of the beacon, a special community service took place on Sunday at St Andrews Church. Droitwich residents joined town mayor Richard Morris in remembering the acts of heroism and sacrifice.

Youngsters from West Acre Middle School, Ombersley Way, also marked the occasion by making a their very own model of HMS Victory. They also took part in other Trafalgar Day activities on Friday.

Members of Droitwich Spa Rotary Club were visited by naval officer Commodore Gerry Thwaiter, who is the commanding officer of HMS Sultan which is also the defence college of electro-mechanical engineering for the Army Navy and RAF.

He spoke about Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar after being invited by his father-in-law and Probus 87 member Mike Swan.