WITH horns blowing and crowds waving Lord Nelson was welcomed back to Ipswich - 200 years after his death.Stepping off HMS Pickle, a replica of the boat which brought news of his death to England, Lord Nelson was greeted yesterday by the high steward of Ipswich, Stuart Whiteley.

WITH horns blowing and crowds waving Lord Nelson was welcomed back to Ipswich - 200 years after his death.

Stepping off HMS Pickle, a replica of the boat which brought news of his death to England, Lord Nelson was greeted yesterday by the high steward of Ipswich, Stuart Whiteley.

The last time he stood on the town's soil he too was the high steward of the town and still held the title at the time of his death in 1805.

Around 100 people attended the event organised by Ipswich Borough Council which marked the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Liz Harsant, leader of the council, said: “We organised the event to mark the anniversary but thought it was a great opportunity for the public to find out about the town's maritime history.

“Over the next few days people will have the opportunity to come aboard HMS Pickle and have a look around.”

Ipswich Sea Cadets welcomed the impersonator of Lord Nelson as he stepped off the ship at 3pm and members of the Royal British Legion marched by the Old Custom House.

Mary Snape, of Wesrwood Avenue, Ipswich, was one of those standing in the crowd.

She said: “My sister and her husband are down visiting us this week and we thought this might be a fun event to bring them to.

“My husband is a retired sea captain and was very interested in coming down.”

Jan Grayston, of Rushmere Road, Ipswich, said: “My husband and I went to the Ipswich Film Theatre the other week to watch a film all about Lord Nelson. We came down today as a follow-up from that show.”

Also in the crowd was James Hehir, chief executive of the Ipswich Borough Council and Ipswich MP Chris Mole.

Lord Nelson, his wife Lady Emma Hamilton and Ipswich town mayor Bill Wright were then taken by horse and carriage to St Clement's Church to lay a wreath at the grave of Thomas Slade, the man who designed Lord Nelson's ship HMS Victory.

Afterwards they went to the Lord Nelson pub, in Fore Street, for refreshments.

HMS Pickle, a 90ft topsail schooner, will be berthed outside the Old Custom House until Monday night.

Public viewings of the ship will take place today from 4.30-6pm, on Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am-6pm and on Monday from 4.30-6pm.