The operator of the official Titanic Memorial Cruise from Southampton has reported a surge in bookings following the first episode of Julian Fellowes' mini-series on ITV.

The operator had nearly 6,000 hits to its website in the few hours during and immediately after the screening of the highly-anticipated drama on Sunday night.

Demand for all things Titanic is set to peak ahead of the centenary of the ship sinking on her maiden voyage to New York on April 15, 1912.

Miles Morgan, managing director of the Titanic Memorial Cruise, said: ''We've had more traffic to the site in that last 24 hours than we have had over the last three weeks combined.

''We always knew the programme would create demand for the memorial cruises but this has far exceeded our expectations.''

Mr Morgan added: ''With the centenary just two weeks away, there have been lots of documentaries and stories in the media so that is also creating interest in the cruises.''

There are two official Titanic Memorial Cruises - one leaving Southampton on April 8 and another which leaves New York on April 10.

Descendants of Titanic passengers, enthusiasts and cruise passengers will be able to pay their respects at a special Memorial Service which takes place at the exact time the Titanic sank 100 years ago.

The Balmoral Cruise Liner departing from Southampton is operated by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, whose parent company Harland and Wolff built the Titanic in Belfast.