This year marks the 250th anniversary of the launch of the world’s oldest commissioned warship, HMS Victory. On May 7, 1765, HMS Victory was floated out of the Old Single Dock in Chatham’s Royal Dockyard.

In the years to come, over an unusually long service, she would gain recognition, leading fleets in the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic War.

In October 1805 she achieved everlasting international fame as the flagship of Vice-Admiral Nelson in Britain’s greatest naval victory, the defeat of the French and Spanish at the Battle of Trafalgar.

To commemorate this auspicious anniversary, the Historic Dockyard Chatham has launched a new exhibition which delves beneath the surface of Britain’s most iconic warship.

HMS Victory: The Untold Story opened at the dockyard on Saturday, February 14, and runs until Sunday, May 31. Dockyard entry costs £19 for adults, £11.50 for children or £49.50 for a family.

Visit www.thedockyard.co.uk or call 01634 823800.

Go behind the scenes at the exhibition in next week's What's On - inside your local KM Group paid-for newspaper