THEY are the memorial plaques set to honour Southampton’s victims and survivors of the Titanic tragedy.

And yesterday, the first of a possible 230 plaques was finally unveiled.

Made of aluminium and coloured black and white, the memorials will honour the Southampton residents aboard the ill-fated cruise liner, when it sunk on April 15, 1912.

The plaques are planned to be placed on the buildings where they lived at the time of the tragedy – in which 540 Southampton residents died.

One of the leading lights behind the project is former Southampton Mayor, councillor Catherine McEwing.

The Redbridge councillor will fund the project, costing up to £18,000, through money raised during her mayoral year in 2016/17.

Councillor McEwing said: “I’ve always had a connection with the ship yards because my maternal family all built ships in the Glasgow area.

“This is something I really wanted to do.

“I think it’s a fitting tribute.”

The first plaques are planned to commemorate city residents who lost their lives in the disaster, which took place when the Titanic struck an iceberg and sunk while on its maiden journey from Southampton to New York.

Civic chiefs also hope to honour survivors at a later date.

The plaques will be placed on buildings that exist in their original form, as well as new homes on the same site.

Ahead of the project, the council will to send letters out to owners of the property, asking for permission.

Once responses are received, civic chiefs will buy the plaques, costing £70 each.

Councillor Letts said: “I’m pleased we have the opportunity to commemorate these brave and talented people, many of whom went down with the Titanic.

“It is the greatest tragedy in the history of Southampton and it’s right to find an opportunity to commemorate it.

“I really hope people take up this offer.”

The council’s first plaque is in honour of Titanic firefighter, John Noon.

Mr Noon lived at Sailor’s Home, Oxford Street, prior to his death on the ship, aged 42.