They will be raising the Titanic in Ramsgate on Saturday, October 4, as enthusiasts from around the UK gather to share their interests in the iconic vessel.

Titanic UK will be staging an exhibition at the Small Boat Owners Club Hall in George Street from 10am-4pm.

They will be displaying their relics, models and collections of Titanic, White Star and other great liners.

Artefacts will include a fork recovered from the sunken ship, a 15ft model and lots of memorabilia.

A special guest will be Doug Wooley, who owns the wreck of the Titanic, having bought the rights to it from Lloyds.

Essex-based Mr Wooley, who also owns the burnt wreck of the Queen Elizabeth in Hong Kong Harbour, will be involved in putting on a display about raising the Titanic, a dream of his.

Bob Pryor of Ramsgate launched Titanic UK in 1987 and is a committed member of The Titanic Society which has some 2,000 members in 24 countries.

Now 52, he first became interested as a small child when his father found yellowing newspaper cuttings about the ill-fated vessel in his loft.

He describes his interest as an addiction and said: “Once you get started, it just draws you in.

“I never realised I would get to know survivors, and, as part of the society, become involved in helping with technical advice on the film.

“I think part of its facination is that there was this beautiful, brand new ship that went on its maiden voyage and then, just a few hours later, it was all gone.

“On board was a complete cross section of life at the time of the Edwardian gilded era. There were some of the richest men in the world and some of the poorest immigrants.

“Its sinking marked the end of the class era. All over the country, people get very emotional about the Titanic.”

A Night To Remember is the ultimate film as far as Mr Pryor is concerned. He liked Titanic but said it was less accurate.

He goes around the country giving talks, and on one occasion when asked for his view on the blockbuster, commented that he thought it would have been better if Jack had fallen from the bows with Rose.

“They weren’t very impressed!” he said.

Admission will be £2 for adults and £1 for children (accompanied only). Money raised will be donated to the RNLI.More information is available on Thanet 01843 599755