AN antique dealer in Clitheroe has played a key role in a specially-commissioned ring to mark the centenary of the Titanic’s sinking.

Heather Cameron, of Cameron Antiques, was asked by a leading London jeweller to source a 1912 gold half-sovereign for a £15,500 ring.

And the expert also unearthed a treasure trove of Titanic memorabilia which is set to be auctioned off on Monday.

Heather, based in Wilson Street, was asked by Nicholas James, who works for Hatton Garden, in London’s jewellery quarter, to find the centrepiece of a white gold ring, surrounded by one-carat diamonds.

It is inscribed with the legend ‘RMS Titanic 1912-2012’ and is set off by a sapphire, designed to mirror the mythical blue diamond ‘Heart of the Ocean’, which featured in 1992’s Titanic film.

Heather said: “Inspired by the half-sovereign I found, the idea for the ring and the beautiful story behind it was born.”

She also discovered a 1912 copy of the Daily Sketch newspaper, detailing the Titanic’s demise, a hardback book on the disaster from the same year, a silver sovereign coin-holding pendant, 1912 glass and silver perfume bottle and 1912 George V silver pedestal vases.

Sealed bids are being accepted on the lots as part of a Titanic centenary auction.

Clitheroe’s own contemporary connection to the tragedy was steward Harry Ashe, the brother-in-law of local watchmaker, Mr R Rawsthorne. The 34-year-old had married May Rawsthorne and had ‘retired’ from seafaring before being coaxed back to work on the White Star liner. His body was recovered from the sea and later buried in Halifax, Nova Scotia.