A COMMEMORATIVE plaque in memory of the band leader on the RMS Titanic will be unveiled this week.

Wallace Hartley and his orchestra of eight performers played for the passengers during the sinking of the Titanic to try and help keep them calm.

Mr Hartley was born in Lancashire, but moved to Bridlington in 1902, where he worked at The Spa, before working on ocean liners including the Lucania, the Luscitania and the Mauritania. He left behind his fiancee, Maria Robinson, to perform on the Titanic, and never returned - though his violin was recovered from the sea and returned to her in 1912.

On Thursday (JUL 17), a blue plaque will be unveiled by chair of East Riding of Yorkshire Council Patricia O'Neil, as part of the launch of the The Spa Bridlington's summer season and the first performance of Showtime the Musical II.

Andrew Aldis, general manager of The Spa Bridlington said, "Keeping history alive is an important part of operating a venue with the heritage of The Spa Bridlington but any connection with the RMS Titanic will increase the visibility of a place in the eyes of many tourists. This commemorative plaque could serve to promote our town to a worldwide market and that can only be a good thing."