The director of a mobile Titanic museum has brought his extensive collection of artefacts to Saltcoats’ North Ayrshire Heritage Centre.

Sean Szmalc’s Titanic Honour and Glory exhibition – which was accumulated over 35 years - showcases genuine historical pieces such as a nightgown worn by a survivor and a letter written on board the ship.

The collection also features movie memorabilia from James Cameron’s iconic film starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio with costumes worn by the actors on display.

Owner of the collection, Sean Szmalc, said: “The Titanic is such an iconic ship – it really changed the way ships are today.

“I have been very very fascinated by the Titanic since I was a boy at five years old.

“From that moment I started to passionately collect more and research more, and I go the chance to meet some survivors who were there that night.

“In the exhibition we tried our best to encompass the whole story of the Titanic and to bring that to life.

“We’ve got some incredible artefacts you can experience in the exhibition that’ve got personal and tangible links to many of the people who were on the Titanic, both those who were lost and those who survived.”

The exhibition first came to the centre in February 2020 – just before the country was hit by the first Covid-19 lockdown.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the centre’s staff were ecstatic to have the exhibition make its return.

Lesley Forsyth of the centre said: “We’re absolutely thrilled and delighted that we’re able to bring it back to Saltcoats and open it up for everybody to come and see.

“It’s not been an easy time but it’s just lovely that we’re starting to see that recovery and we’re starting to see people coming back again.

“It’s a really really special day.”

Titanic Honour and Glory has travelled to different museums and schools around the UK and has ever travelled across the Atlantic to Alabama.

The exhibition is free to view and will be in the Heritage Centre until the end of April.