Titanic at the Dorman Museum gives visitors a fascinating insight into the infamous ship, which sank on its maiden voyage to New York in 1912 after hitting an iceberg.

With never-before-seen artefacts, stories from survivors and remarkable footage of the wreckage, the exhibition has attracted inquiries from far and wide.

Tickets are selling fast, making it the most popular exhibition at the Linthorpe Road venue in years.

JR Bowes, Middlesbrough Museums Manager, said: “There’s been a massive amount of interest with lots of people talking about the Titanic and planning a trip to Dorman Museum, with visitors who wouldn’t ordinarily travel into Middlesbrough buying tickets so far.

“I’ve even received a phone call from the USA due to the online articles about the exhibition.

“Many of our visitors have said they haven’t been to the museum since they were a child or are completely new to Middlesbrough.

“It’s brilliant to hear we are giving them reasons to visit and spend money in our local economy.”

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Artefacts include a fragment of deckchair which has never been seen in public previously and held by the Home Office until now.

The other surviving pieces of the deckchair are owned by James Cameron – the director of the blockbuster 1997 film Titanic.

Other artefacts from the movie include a life jacket, a Heart of the Ocean necklace, Captain Smith’s teacup and saucer, plus moulding from the grand staircase set.

Donations also include items from the last surviving woman who had been on-board the Titanic, Millvina Dean, who was only nine-weeks-old when the ship sank in April 1912.

And through the Teesside’s Titanic project, Middlesbrough Council is capturing the memories and experiences of local people who have a personal connection to the ship.

Siblings Elliott and Holly Casson, from Linthorpe, are distantly related to Joseph Bruce Ismay who owned the Titanic and was also onboard when it sank. Mr Ismay is also featured in the film.

Siblings Elliott and Holly Casson

Also pictured is Ryan Docherty with his son Aaron, from Redcar.

Ryan owns an espresso/demitasse cup and saucer of the Wisteria pattern, which was used on Titanic’s sister ship, the RMS Olympic.

This type of cup can be seen on display in the museum.

Ryan said: “Having the Titanic exhibition come to the Dorman Museum is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the history of Titanic and the tragic events that occurred on the night she sank, and to see actual artefacts related to Titanic is a fantastic opportunity.“I’ll most definitely be visiting with my family and look forward to letting my sons learn more.”

Jared with his Titanic Lego

Titanic superfan Jared, 11, from Middlesbrough, has created a giant model of the ship from Lego.

He said: “I find it so fascinating researching the passengers that were aboard the ship. I have quite the collection of mechanise, but my favourite item so far is this Titanic Lego – it was great to build.

“I would like go to the official Titanic Museum in Belfast, but for now I’m just so happy and overwhelmed that the Dorman Museum is bringing the Titanic to Middlesbrough.”

Titanic opened on the first floor of the Dorman Museum on May 6. It’s on daily from 10am-4pm, until September 3.

 Advance tickets to the Titanic exhibition are £5, and £6 on the day. Entry to the permanent museum galleries is free.

For more information, visit here.