AN OPEN air commemorative service took place yesterday on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

Around 400 people attended the short service and wreath-laying ceremony at the Titanic Engineers' Memorial in Above Bar Street, Southampton.

The ship hit an iceberg in the Atlantic on her maiden voyage on April 14, 1912, and sank the following day, claiming the lives of 1,500 people.

Southampton was her home port and 549 people from the city perished.

The service featured music and readings and was attended by representatives from maritime and civic organisations as well as members of the public.

The Reverend Ian Johnson, who led the service, told the people present that today's event was a commemoration of a tragedy for Southampton.

Mayor of Southampton Councillor Christine Kelly said: "Ninety years ago an event took place that meant that in some streets in Southampton every household lost a family member.

She said Titanic had become a blockbuster film but she added: "We want to remember the sinking, not the spectacle, not the entertainment."

It is one of several events in Southampton to mark the tragedy.

Millvina Dean, now the UK's sole Titanic survivor, was due today to unveil a heritage plaque at the former headquarters of the White Star Line in Canute Road, Southampton.

The plaque will mark the building as a site of historic significance.

Miss Dean, 90, from Ashurst in the New Forest, has also opened a revamped exhibition of the liner at the city's Maritime Museum in Bugle Street.

- Originally published April 2002.