THE EXHIBITION will feature the city's extensive collection of Titanic memorabilia and could incorporate the city's "Titanic Voices" display which contains interviews with people connected with the tragedy from Southampton.

City chiefs are also hoping to persuade existing owners of Titanic artefacts to part with them on a temporary basis to put on display at the museum. Two years ago, London's Science Museum staged a hugely successful exhibition of Titanic artefacts which had been raised from the sea bed.

They included the ship's bell which was rung by lookout Frederick Fleet on April 14, 1912 when the great ship sank in the north Atlantic.

Other items included a section of the ship's hull nicknamed "The Big Piece" which was raised from the sea bed by adventurer George Tulloch.

Other items which were included in London's exhibition and could find their way to Southampton include ship's menus, clothing and suitcases, which were all recovered from the bottom of the sea.