We Are a Strange Race.

Further proof that the English can be a rather strange race at times:

A 200-year-old debt will be settled this evening when relatives of Horatio Nelson gather to honour his memory.

More than 40 descendants of Nelson and the 15 captains of vessels under his command at the Battle of the Nile in 1798, will meet at his tomb in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral.

There John Boddy, a businessman from Norfolk, will pay off a debt outstanding since Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar on Oct 21, 1805. Three years earlier, he had placed an order with Chamberlain's for a set of breakfast, dinner and tea services that cost £120 10s 6d, but it was not delivered until three months after his death.

At today's prices, the services would cost £6,188, but Royal Worcester, which took over Chamberlain's, has agreed to accept around £3,750. The company will donate the money to the Royal Naval Association.