Chorley man's Titanic menu sells for £100,000

The lunch - including sweetbreads, spring lamb and pastries - was served during the liner's sea trials on April 2 in 1912.

The menu belonged to Second Officer Charles Lightoller, the highest ranking surviving officer from the Titanic, from Chorley, who had given the menu to his wife as a souvenir before he left from Southampton on April 10 in 1912.

More than 1,500 passengers and crew died when the Titanic struck an iceberg four days later.

Among the other items that went under the hammer at Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire was a key to the doomed vessel's chart room that sold for £78,000.

A third class steward's badge, which was worn by Thomas Mullin fetched £57,000. The badge was found with his body.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: "This menu is one of the most important examples of its type in existence today, simply superb a true blue chip item.

"It is from most famous ship in the world, the first meal served on it and owned by its most senior surviving officer."

Titanic was due to leave Belfast for Southampton on April 1, but this was postponed until the following day due to bad weather.

Sea trials began at 10am on April 2, with the ship sailing all day and returning to port for some last-minute cargo.

The ship was put at dead slow while lunch was served in the main dining saloon.

Once the meal was completed, the major stopping test was conducted.

It is believed that only one other example of a menu from April 2 survives.

This belonged to Titanic's Fifth Officer Harold Lowe, who noted on it: "This is first meal ever served on board."

That menu was sold for £28,000 in 2004 - but the bottom of it was removed.