Group's fiery Trafalgar tribute

The group plans to visit Portsmouth to see the vessel for themselves

A group from Devon is hoping to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar by burning a wooden replica of HMS Victory.

The Great Torrington Cavaliers want to build a 120-feet replica of the Victory and a galleon from the Spanish fleet.

The group is well-known for its bonfires, where sophisticated historic replicas are set alight.

Now the group is starting work on the replica for a bonfire to mark the anniversary in August 2005.

Appeal for materials

The Chairman of the Group, Chris Stacey, said they aim to make the replica as accurate as possible and plan to visit Portsmouth to see the vessel for themselves.

Their creation will have sails, masts, rigging, gun decks and cannon.

They are appealing to local businesses to donate the materials necessary for the vessel's construction such as wood, rope and paint.

The Cavaliers may also ask a descendant of one of the Victory's crew to set fire to the vessel.

In the past the group has built and burnt replicas of part of London to mark the Great Fire of 1666 and the Houses of Parliament to remember Guy Fawkes.