A FAMOUS Second World War vessel will form the centrepiece of a two-day tribute to one of Britain’s greatest naval heroes.

HMS Medusa, the last surviving craft to have been at Omaha Beach during the D-Day landings, will visit Lymington next month to celebrate the achievements of Admiral Sir Harry Burrard Neale.

The visit will mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Sir Harry who lived in Lymington in the 18th and 19th centuries.

During his naval career he rose to become Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, captured or destroyed 20 enemy vessels, and also helped defeat a mutiny in the Thames Estuary.

As reported in the Daily Echo, campaigners are restoring a 173-year-old monument built in his memory.

The 76ft Egyptian-style obelisk overlooks Lymington, where Sir Harry was MP for as total of 25 years over a 40-year period. He also paid for the first street lighting to be installed in the town in 1832.

The anniversary celebrations will take place on September 16-17, with the Gosport-based Medusa moored alongside a pontoon at Lymington Town Sailing Club.

The Royal Navy will mark the occasion by sending a P2000 fast patrol boat that will be anchored at the neighbouring Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

A drama and music event will be held at St Thomas Church, with members of the Lymington Players portraying Sir Harry and his wife Grace.

The evening will also include a concert by the Portsmouth-based HMS Nelson Royal Naval Volunteer Band. Donald Mackenzie, chairman of the Burrard Neale 250 Project, described Sir Harry as the most important and distinguished person in Lymington’s history.

He added: “This year is the 250th anniversary of his birth at Walhampton House in 1765 and 175th anniversary of his death in 1840.

“It’s therefore fitting that this is the year in which we’ve completed the renovation of the grounds around the obelisk and the restoration of several monuments to his life in the town."

“We’re very excited to have two naval vessels coming to Lymington to help us celebrate the anniversary.”