A plaque marking Nelson's Norfolk birthplace is being replaced six months after it was stolen.

The bronze memorial disappeared from the wall in Burnham Thorpe, near Wells, where it had stood for more than 60 years in December.

Now a Norfolk-based foundry firm has made a replacement, which will be unveiled in the village on May 26.

Eastern Daily Press: The original plaque marking Nelson's birthplace, which was stolen in DecemberThe original plaque marking Nelson's birthplace, which was stolen in December (Image: Matthew Usher)

Carbrooke-based East Coast Casting was contacted by villager Nina Plumbe after the original was stolen.

"She asked us if we'd like to get involved in making another one and we said we'd love to," said its director Chris Isbill. 

Eastern Daily Press: Horatio Nelson was born at Burnham Thorpe in NorfolkHoratio Nelson was born at Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk (Image: National Maritime Museum)

The firm made the pattern and casting at the cost of around £600.

Mr Isbill fears the original would have been stolen to be melted down for scrap.

He said the replacement would be fixed in place more securely.

Eastern Daily Press: The replacement plaque which will soon mark Nelson's birthplaceThe replacement plaque which will soon mark Nelson's birthplace (Image: Chris Isbill)

Nina Plumbe, who owns the property where the plaque stood, said: "The plaque had been there for 63 years and the villagers like being associated with Nelson."

She said the Army and Navy Club in London had agreed to fund the replacement, which would be unveiled at 5pm on May 26 by its chairman Frank Froud.

She added those in attendance, which would also include Royal Navy personnel, members of the Nelson Society and parish councillors, would be heading to the village pub which is named after Nelson afterwards.

Eastern Daily Press: A life-sized carving of Nelson looks across the fields towards his birthplace in Burnham ThorpeA life-sized carving of Nelson looks across the fields towards his birthplace in Burnham Thorpe (Image: Chris Bishop)

Horatio Nelson was born at the Old Rectory in Burnham Thorpe on September 29, 1758.

He learned to sail around Burnham Overy Staithe, joined the Navy at the age of 12 and went on to become its greatest commander and a national hero before he fell at the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805.

While the rectory was demolished in the early 19th century, Nelson is remembered elsewhere in Burnham Thorpe with a pub he would frequent during stays in the village named after him,  the village sign and a life-sized wooden carving.