TITANIC expert Steve Rigby is going on an expedition next month to photograph the world's most famous shipwreck.

The Leigh postman will reach the North Atlantic location of the Titanic on board a deep sea diving vessel on July 10.

The Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in 1912 with the loss of 1,523 lives, and lies 450 miles off the coast of Newfoundland.

Mr Rigby, aged 46, who is secretary of the British Titanic Society, will dive two-and-a-half miles down to the seabed in a Russian mini-submarine to take photographs.

It is his second trip to the wreck. Four years ago, he became the 62nd person to see the Titanic.

Mr Rigby, of Durrell Way, Leigh, said: "The last time I went to the Titanic, I was asked to go as an historian and we took some photographs.

"For someone who had been amazed by the story of the Titanic since the age of eight, and to then visit the site was a humbling and deeply moving experience.

"This time I will be going to see the difference in the condition of the wreck since I last saw it four years ago.

"It's important to record these photographs for future generations."