THE Museum of Worcester Porcelain is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Lord Nelson's visit to Worcester with an outstanding loan exhibition of his personal possessions and other artefacts commemorating his life.

Many of the items have never been on display before.

"Admiral Nelson is one of the most commemorated people in British history," said a spokeswoman for the museum.

"He was a hero in his own lifetime and following his death, at the moment of victory at Trafalgar, he became an icon, forever a symbol of British naval prowess.

"Those who knew him were besieged for souvenirs and an enormous range of items was made to celebrate his life, his victories and his death."

The museum exhibition includes a large range of commemorative pieces, including mugs, jugs, portrait medallions, glass pictures, snuff boxes, spoons, prints and jewellery.

One of the more unusual pieces is a three-feet-high silver table centrepiece in the form of Nelson's column.

There is also a cup and saucer, painted with a portrait of Emma Hamilton, Nelson's mistress, and a miniature portrait of Nelson.

There will also be pieces from four sets of tableware owned by Nelson and Lady Hamilton, including more than 20 pieces from the famous Horatio Breakfast Service, which was ordered from the Chamberlain factory, in August 1802.

The exhibition in the Severn Street museum is due to run until Saturday, November 30.

A lecture is also due to take place, on Thursday, October 31, entitled Nelson and the Hamiltons.

The lecture - to be held in the Kings School Theatre, Worcester, from 2.30pm to 4pm - will be given by Colin White, a director of the National Maritime Museum, in Greenwich, London.