Hundreds of people came together to raise a glass to Britain's greatest naval hero at the annual Trafalgar Day Service in Great Yarmouth.

People gathered around Admiral Horatio Nelson's Monument to pay their respects to Norfolk's most famous son who was killed by a French sniper at the Battle of Trafalgar, on October 21, 1805.

The day started with a procession from South Beach Parade to the monument in South Denes before Mary Coleman, the mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough, laid a wreath at the base of the column on behalf of the people of the borough.

Eastern Daily Press: Service honouring Horatio Nelson held in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Victoria PertusaService honouring Horatio Nelson held in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

Kerry Robinson-Payne, the curator of the Nelson Museum, then read an account of Nelson's final battle.

The event organised by Great Yarmouth Borough Council in partnership with the Nelson Museum also included hymns, prayers and readings.

Eastern Daily Press: Service honouring Horatio Nelson held in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Victoria PertusaService honouring Horatio Nelson held in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

The service was led by The Rev Simon Ward, of Great Yarmouth Minster.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader, Graham Plant, was in attendance and described it as an 'excellent service'.

Eastern Daily Press: Service honouring Horatio Nelson held in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Victoria PertusaService honouring Horatio Nelson held in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Victoria Pertusa (Image: Archant)

Mr Plant said: 'The service was very well attended and I was very proud to be there again this year. It is important that we remember the Battle of Trafalgar and the tradition it has in the town.'

Those present raised a toast to the naval hero with rum or orange juice being provided.

Eastern Daily Press: The Royal Navy Museum's official portrait of Admiral Lord Nelson which is considered to be the best likeness of the great man and is typical in it's view of him from his left side. Credit: Royal Navy MeseumThe Royal Navy Museum's official portrait of Admiral Lord Nelson which is considered to be the best likeness of the great man and is typical in it's view of him from his left side. Credit: Royal Navy Meseum (Image: Archant)

Kerry Robinson-Payne was delighted to see the event grow in size once again this year.

'Each year the service seems to grow in size which is really pleasing. The event marks a very important part of history and it went very well again.

Eastern Daily Press: Nelson's Monument in Great Yarmouth. Credit: David Street.Nelson's Monument in Great Yarmouth. Credit: David Street. (Image: Archant)

'We can learn a lot from Nelson and the way he acted as a leader,' she said.

The Norfolk Naval Pillar, as it is officially known, stands at 144ft tall and is only slightly shorter than its counterpart in London. Funded by public subscription at a cost £7,000, it was built to commemorate Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar, opening in 1819.

Great Yarmouth was chosen as the ideal location, with the position on South Denes, then an empty sand spit, ensuring it would be seen from both land and sea.