THOUSANDS of people turned out to mark the 200th anniversary of of Nelson's victory over Napoleon's fleet and to reflect on life during the Second World War.

Hundreds of Sea Cadets staged a Trafalgar Day parade through York yesterday, while in the Pickering area people stepped back in time for the town's annual Wartime Weekend.

About 350 cadets and officers from across Yorkshire marched from the Eye of York to the Minster for the 200th anniversary service.

Chief Petty Officer Julian Meek, an officer with York Cadets and bandmaster of the parade, said: "To have 350 cadets here at once is fantastic.

"It's a good advert for the Sea Cadets and we are also flying the flag for the Navy."

The procession included a 60-strong guard of honour and a marching band made up of cadets from York and Grimsby.

It was watched by Vice-Admiral Sir Jonathan Tod, the Lord Mayor, Coun Janet Greenwood, and the Sheriff of York, Coun Gil Nimmo.

Lieutenant Commander Margaret Jones, an area recreation officer for the cadets, said: "We thought it would be nice to get all the sea cadets from Yorkshire together and celebrate as one big corps. Most of them will never again get the chance to go on such a big parade."

At Pickering, people were remembering the Second World War with the town's annual Wartime Weekend.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway was the centrepiece of the event, with re-enactments of different aspects of life during the war taking place along the line to Grosmont.

A parade saw veterans march through the town watched by Home Guard, air raid workers, evacuees, Land Army girls and ENSA entertainers.

Military vehicles, including tanks from the US 102nd Armored Division, were on show along the railway line.

The atmosphere moved one man from Middlesbrough to propose to his girlfriend in front of the tanks, with both dressed in period clothing.

At Beck Isle Museum visitors recorded wartime memories, thanks to collaboration with the BBC People's War project.

Updated: 10:07 Monday, October 17, 2005