Lord Nelson was killed by a French sniper's bullet

Portsmouth City Council has decided to shift the statue from its current position at the corner of Southsea Common to Grand Parade, old Portsmouth.

From there Nelson will have a view over the harbour walls to the sea.

The statue, presented to the city in 1951, currently stands on the route he walked to board his ship for his final trip to the Battle of Trafalgar.

Vice Admiral Lord Nelson was killed by a French sniper's bullet during the battle in 1805.

The decision to move the statue was taken by the city council's planning committee on Wednesday night.

The new position will be fitting because he will be able to look over the sea whereas at present he looks into a Travel Inn, a sports field and a fairground Mike Hancock, MP

Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock, who also serves as the city council's executive member for development control, said the decision to move the statue came after public consultation.

He said: "I didn't want it moved, but the overwhelming feeling of the people in the area was for it to be moved.

"The new position will be fitting because he will be able to look over the sea whereas at present he looks into a Travel Inn, a sports field and a fairground."

He said the move should be completed in time for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in October, and would be part of a themed Nelson walk.

The main focus of the celebrations will be an International Fleet Review at Portsmouth on 28 June, during which the Queen will inspect 165 ships from the Royal Navy and 36 other nations, as well as a variety of other vessels.