A CHAIR used by Admiral Nelson on board HMS Victory has been loaned to a County Durham museum for an exhibition.

Kiplin Hall, near Scorton, in North Yorkshire, has lent Nelson's library chair to Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, for display in its forthcoming Napoleon: Art and Empire in the Age of Trafalgar exhibition.

The exhibition is being held to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Nelson died on board HMS Victory at Trafalgar in the arms of his close friend and chaplain, Dr Alexander Scott, of Catterick.

Dr Scott acquired the chair and through his friendship with John Delavel Carpenter, the 4th Earl of Tyrconnel, the chair went to Kiplin Hall.

The exhibition opens at the Bowes Museum tomorrow and runs until January 8, next year. Monday will be the last day of the Norman Parkinson exhibition.