THERE was pomp, circumstance, a lot of fun - and some confusion - to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in the region.

While the rest of the nation attributes the Royal Navy's victory over the combined French and Spanish fleets in 1805 to the battle plan of Admiral Lord Nelson - Geordies say otherwise.

Newcastle City Council said it was the leadership of Tyneside-born Admiral Lord Collingwood following the death of Nelson, which led to the British victory.

The city celebrated Cuthbert Collingwood's life at a service to commemorate the anniversary of Trafalgar at the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas at the weekend.

Royal Navy warship HMS Northumberland fired a salute as it sailed past the Collingwood Memorial Statue, at Tynemouth, and up the Tyne to Newcastle.

A descendant of the admiral, who was Nelson's deputy at Trafalgar, lit the Tynemouth beacon, one of a chain of beacons which flared into life across the length of the Britain, for the anniversary celebrations.

The company of another ship, HMS Tyne, celebrated the ship's Freedom of North Tyneside with a parade through Tynemouth.

Hartlepool's Historic Quay yesterday held a wreath laying ceremony on the water to remember those who gave their lives at Trafalgar.

Up to 200 historical re-enactors brought the past back to life at Hartlepool's Maritime Experience. Visitors watched weaponry demonstrations, public floggings of men who refused to take the King's shilling, skirmishes and hangings.

The committee, which looks after the museum's former Zetland lifeboat that was in service 200 years ago, attended a commemorative service at St Peter's Parish Church, Redcar, east Cleveland yesterday.

Middlesbrough, which held its Trafalgar parade a week before everyone else, yesterday marked the birthday of the town's famous son, explorer Captain James Cook.

There was a thanksgiving service at St Cuthbert's Church, Marton - where Cook was baptised - followed by a drumhead service near his birthplace, in Stewart Park, Middlesbrough.