READY! Aim! Fire! Those three words resonated around Fort Nelson at the weekend when the complex threw open its doors to children of all ages.

More than 3,000 people passed through the gates over the bank holiday to witness dramatic re-enactments, vegetable fights, learn to use a bow-and-arrow or merely to sit in the summer sun.

With an action packed timetable of events which included the Battle of Castillon, Davy Crockett and the Alamo along with the Zulu War, there was something for everyone.

Sean Mannie, operating officer at the Fareham fort, said the number of people going in was up 50 per cent on last year.

He said: "We've deliberately aimed the event at families and included more activities for children. There has been something event at the fort everyday of the holiday.

"It's been out biggest programme of events yet and that's because of Trafalgar 200 and Sea Britain."

But it was up to the children to decide whether they gave Storm the Fort the thumbs up, Kate Osmond, eight, from Portchester was there with dad, Robert.

She said: "I liked the canons, they were loud and everyone jumped when they went off."

While Yolanda Birch, 24, with her three-year-old, Sophie, from Bridgemary, said: "It's the first time we've been up to the fort and it's been really good especially as its free and goes on all day."

The final event on the Fort Nelson summer calendar is the Royal Armouries Trafalgar Tattoo being held on Saturday, September 3. There are two shows at 2pm and again at 7.30pm.

For more information or tickets call 01329 848500.