HERITAGE bosses in Southampton say plans to commemorate the sinking of Titanic in 2012 are still on course.

City chiefs still expect to unveil the finalised proposals for the ambitious commemorations in the autumn - in spite of a two-month delay in drawing up a final blueprint for the scheme.

Meanwhile, civic leaders are continuing in talks with developers to build a £4.5m heritage centre in the lower High Street with the sinking of the liner as its central theme. It is planned that the heritage centre will be open by late 2011.

According to a report due to be heard by members of the city's ruling Liberal Democrat Cabinet next Monday, the council's heritage department has fallen behind schedule in drawing up the final events programme for the anniversary.

The delay was caused by one of the key officers responsible for drawing up the proposals being off sick for two months.

However, a city council spokeswoman said that the plans would be finalised on schedule in autumn this year. She said: "There is no delay as such due to him being off."

Last year, the Daily Echo revealed how civic leaders were drawing-up a huge programme of events to commemorate the liner's sinking in April 1912.

Among the events planned are a project to produce a memorial to the more than 1,500 victims of the tragedy - more than 500 of whom came from Southampton.

Other planned commemorations include a special Titanic- themed cruise and the sale of replica Titanic artefacts based on items held in the city's archives.

Southampton-based developers, Weyly, are also planning to build a "shell" to house a £4.5m heritage centre featuring Titanic in the city's lower High Street.

Cash to pay for the project will come from a scheme to build a top quality hotel on the site. The £30m hotel will feature a Roman-style spa built in the vaults of Canutes Palace, a covered public square and a theatre and offices.

First published Thursday 16 February 2006