ÍøÆØÃÅ

International and local Titanic experts are gathering in Southampton this week to relive the final moments before the great ship left harbour on its maiden and only voyage.

As many of the conference papers are on subjects such as the cultural meaning of disaster and memorabilia and mourning, delegates will be pleased to learn that the proceedings also include a 90-minute walking tour of Southampton's historic sites.

Led by a local Titanic fan in authentic costume, the academics will not only be able to visit the Town Quay Wall and the Holyrood Memorial, but they will also be able to respectfully enter a number of pubs where members of the ship's crew are thought to have drunk before setting sail.