HE has been dubbed the most famous figure in the town's history.

Now Lymington is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Admiral Sir Harry Burrard Neale, a close confident and friend of King George III.

Sir Harry was a naval hero who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet.

During his career he captured or destroyed 20 enemy vessels and also helped to crush a mutiny in the Thames Estuary.

He was also MP for Lymington for many years and paid for the first gas lighting to be installed in the town in 1832.

Yesterday civic leaders launched two days of celebrations by gathering at the base of a 76ft obelisk erected in Sir Harry's memory in 1841.

Watched by a Fife and Drum duo dressed in Napoleonic costume, the town mayor, Cllr Michael White, unveiled two information boards about the monument and Sir Harry.

At the same time HMS Medusa arrived in the Lymington River and opened its decks to the public, who can also tour the vessel today.

The historic craft is the last surviving vessel to have been at Omaha Beach on D-Day and has been restored by the HMS Medusa Trust.

The Royal Navy marked the anniversary of Sir Harry's birth by mooring the fast patrol vessel HMS Smiter beside the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

Last night St Thomas Church, Lymington, hosted a celebratory event featuring members of the Lymington Players portraying Sir Harry and his wife Grace.

Daily Echo:

The evening also included a concert by the Royal Naval Volunteer Band from HMS Nelson, Portsmouth.

Don Mackenzie, chairman of the Burrard Neale 250 Project, said: “Almost certainly Sir Harry is the most eminent and distinguished person to have come from Lymington and certainly one who made the biggest impact nationally.

"The Lymington Society, through the team, has been proud to bring Sir Harry and his achievements back to public prominence."