COLLECTIONS of Titanic memorabilia from around the world could be displayed at Southampton's planned multi-million-pound heritage centre.

There are firm plans which would see the Titanic tragedy take centre stage in the city's much heralded heritage centre which will relate the story of Southampton's maritime history.

The planned centre would cost £4.6m and would be built in lower High Street.

The people behind the centre hope it will be built in time for the 100th anniversary commemorations of the ship's sinking in 2012.

They expect that one floor of the planned museum, which could attract 100,000 visitors a year, would be dedicated to exhibiting artefacts from the Titanic tragedy.

Other floors would be used to illustrate further aspects of the city's maritime history including the history of the docks and Southampton's liners - among them Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

Among the priceless Titanic relics the city has in its possession are Captain EJ Smith's ceremonial sword. It was presented to city leaders by Captain Smith's widow and daughter after the tragedy which claimed his life in 1912 along with about 1,500 others - 500 of whom were from Southampton

Other items which the city owns include contemporary photographs which were taken around Southampton in the aftermath, actual first class menus from the ship and discharge books which were given to the surviving crew members.

There are also recordings made of Titanic survivors who came from Southampton and Hampshire which provide a unique oral record of the tragedy - unrivalled anywhere else in the world.

Southampton City Council's heritage boss, councillor Peter Wakeford, said owners of Titanic memorabilia would be contacted to give them the opportunity to put their items on permanent display.

He added that the Titanic story would also be used in the museum to illustrate advances made in marine safety which came about as a result of the disaster.

He said: "Once we have approval, we will sit down with officers. I know there has already been a substantial amount of work undertaken.

"There will be groups, including local history groups, who will want to be involved. I would like to think that a firm proposal will be worked up by the end of the year."

Stephen Bromberg from London's Science Museum said that the museum's own exhibition of Titanic artefacts which were raised from the wreck site by adventurer George Tulloch had been a huge success attracting thousands of visitors.

He said: "It was the weaving together of the artefacts with the personal stories which made the exhibition so memorable."

Read the full story on our special TITANIC website www.thisistitanic.co.uk