LANCASHIRE’S Titanic Museum has docked at its new home.

The museum, which was formerly housed in Colne and at Samlesbury Hall, will now be situated in Eccleston, near Chorley.

Among the attractions is a painting from the Titanic’s sister ship, the Olympic — which is identical to the one displayed on the famous grand staircase — silverware, china, photographs, models and personal items from people who survived the disaster.

Writing by the ship’s captain EJ Smith can also be seen.

The museum started life in Albert Street, Colne — birthplace of band leader Wallace Hartley, who famously continued to play as the ship went down — five years ago, but moved to Samlesbury Hall in June last year.

The hall agreed to house the museum for a year but said the term could not be extended because of plans to bring in a new exhibition.

Curator Nigel Hampson said the museum could be moved back to Colne but had now found a new location. The exhibition is now ship-shape and already welcoming visitors at Bygone Times, in Langton Brow, Eccleston.

A spokesman for the museum said: “Lancashire Titanic Museum is pleased to announce that after many weeks of preparation, we are now open at our new home.

“Telling the story of the Titanic disaster and the many Lancashire links to this iconic event, our unique collection of artefacts graphically brings the story to life.

“We would like to sincerely thank the management of Bygone Times who have done so much to facilitate the move and make us feel very welcome.

“We are very much looking forward to working with Bygone Times on lots of promotions and events in the future.

“To all those who have wished us well we say a big thank you — keep in touch and come and see us.”