THE suggested link between St Helens and the construction of the ill-fated Titanic, which went to a watery grave on its maiden voyage, has been well and truly scuppered by reader Pamela Day. Theories have tossed to and fro across this page , with a number claiming that the ship's bell and portholes had been cast in St Helens.

But Pamela. of Villiers Crescent, Eccleston, now wades in with solid information to the contrary. She writes: "The Titanic bell has no connection with St Helens. It was designed by my grandfather Thomas Utley and cast at his works , Thomas Utley & Son of Silverdale Avenue, Tuebrook, Liverpool.

"The bell's casting was donated to Liverpool Maritime Museum and is on permanent display. My grandfather was inventor of ship ventilating sidelights, making him an honorary member of the Institute of Inventors in Paris."

Pamela further informs us that all the Titanic's portholes, lights and windows were designed by her gifted granddad, who died in 1927, and were manufactured at his family owned works.

At how's this for an amazing coincidence! Pamela's brother, Thomas Utley (54) third in line to be so named by the industrial family and owner of a factory at Sherdley Park, St Helens, has just been informed that a ship's porthole had been recovered from the bottom of the sea after 86 years.

Belonging to the Justica, sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland in 1918 while en route from Belfast to New York, the brass porthole was still in perfect condition, clearly bearing the manufacturer's name - Thomas Utley & Son!