Journey taken after famous Royal Navy battle highlighted in competition with £10,000 prizes

The competition, launched by The Trafalgar Way, hopes to get people discovering the route taken by the official messenger returning to London from The Battle of Trafalgar.

Kathy Brown, director of Britain’s first heritage coaching route, said: ‘Most people have heard of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson, his flagship HMS Victory and the Battle of Trafalgar where he lost his life.

‘Few know the story of the race to bring the news home to London. Our objective is to ensure The Trafalgar Way takes its place in the national consciousness as a route of significance.

‘The story behind its creation reconnects our island nation with its maritime history and reminds us of the importance of the British Navy in shaping our identity.’

Entrants are encouraged to produce postcards from The Trafalgar Way route. The competition is open to photographers and artists of all ages, amateur and professional.

Kathy added: ‘The Trafalgar Way route doesn't pass through Portsmouth but it does visit nearby Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, skirting the New Forest to arrive in historic Andover then winding along the Test Valley to Basingstoke and north.

‘For photographers, this is an excuse to go exploring. There are some beautiful and interesting towns, villages and scenes along its length, and we're challenging the public to capture them in a 'picture-postcard' image.’

Entry for under-17s is free of charge. Adults 17 and over there is a £5 entry fee. The deadline is April 16, 2021.

To enter go to: www.thetrafalgarway.org/postcards.

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