A DOUBLE DECKER bus has been named after Titanic survivor Millvina Dean.

The 93-year-old, of Woodlands, near Ashurst, unveiled the Uni- link bus during the annual Titanic Convention at the Hilton Hotel, Chilworth.

The youngest person to survive the tragedy, Millvina was just nine weeks old when she boarded the ship in April 1912 with her parents and older brother to seek a new life in America.

Her father Bertram died in the disaster along with 549 men, women and children from Southampton.

They were among 1,522 who perished when the so-called "unsinkable" vessel hit an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland after setting sail from Southampton on her maiden voyage.

After the tragedy Millvina, her mother Georgetta and brother Bert went on to rebuild their lives in the New Forest.

Millvina's name now adorns the top of the number U1 bus that operates between Southampton University's Oceanography Centre and the Highfield Campus via the city centre. The route passes through Winn Road where the captain of the liner, Captain Edward Smith, lived.

A commemorative plaque with a picture of Millvina has been put up inside the 76-seater bus.

"It's lovely," said Millvina who is one of only three living Titanic survivors. "It was completely amazing to be asked to have a bus named after me. At first I could not understand what it was all about but I think it's a very good idea.

"I am now part of history and this will help people remember the Titanic and all those who died."

George Fair, Operations Manager for Uni-Link which operates a fleet of 14 buses across the city, said: "This bus will be our tribute to the most famous liner that left this port."

Earlier this year another Uni-link bus was named in memory of popular passenger Daphne Topple who died last year.

Following an appeal in the Daily Echo for suggestions, the next bus will be named after RJ Mitchell - designer of the Southampton built Spitfire aircraft.