Sailors and marines remember anniversary of Battle of Trafalgar aboard Nelson's flagship

Sailors and marines have gathered aboard HMS Victory to mark the 214th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

The Second Sea Lord Admiral Nick Hine laid a wreath at the spot where Admiral Lord Nelson was killed during the battle.

Flags communicating Nelson's famous signal 'England expects every man to do his duty' were flown during the ceremony.

The battle is seen by many historians as a moment that changed the history of the nation, establishing British sea power for the next hundred years.

Admiral Lord Nelson faced a numerically superior fleet made up of French and Spanish vessels.

But his superior tactics, equipment and personnel brought victory for Britain.

Nelson himself was fatally wounded by a sniper early during the action, but he lived long to hear that victory had been declared.

HMS Victory is the oldest commissioned warship in the world.

Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander BJ Smith described Trafalgar Day as the most important day in the Royal Navy's Calendar.