Titanic anchor procession to be replayed

Twenty shire horses will tow a replica of the Titanic anchor into the Black Country town where the original was made 99 years ago.

Crowds of people are expected to turn out in Netherton where the original was forged at the former Noah Hingley & Sons ironworks.

The reproduction 15 and three-quarter ton anchor will feature in a five-part television series exploring the Edwardian industrial era, in which the Black Country played a significant part.

Channel Four will be filming the procession and the celebrations in the centre of Netherton for the show.

It will be towed from the site of the old Dudley train station near the zoo into the heart of Netherton by the horses, accompanied by grooms in Edwardian costume.

That will be the exact reverse journey it made in 1911, when it was taken away to be used on the famous ship, which sank the following year.

Thousands of people lined the streets at the time to share in a moment of history for the town.

The replica anchor will be placed on a temporary plinth in Northfield Road for filming before relocating to the Black Country Living Museum for 12 months, while a permanent base is created and installed in Netherton.

Dudley Councillor David Stanley, cabinet member for environment and culture, said: "This is wonderful news for Netherton and the borough. We have so much to be proud of."

The anchor cost about £40,000 to produce in Sheffield for the show.

Made by Twenty Television, it follows a group of modern-day engineers as they construct some of the iconic pieces from Titanic. It is expected to air in September.

The procession takes place on the afternoon of Sunday, August 15.

Dudley Council is planning a range of activities, events and exhibitions as part of the celebration and is encouraging community groups and organisations to take part. For details call Fred Richings on 01384 815540.