Double Olympic rowing gold medallist James Cracknell will officially launch the £15m SeaCity Museum next week (10 April) as part of Southampton's new Cultural Quarter.

The new attraction - housed within the city's former Grade II*-listed Magistrates' Court - has been designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects and delivered by Kier Southern.

SeaCity Museum comprises two permanent galleries examining Southampton's status as a "Gateway to the World" and its maritime heritage throughout the last 2,000 years.

The attraction also explores the port city's relationship with the ill-fated liner, Titanic, which claimed the lives of 1,514 - 549 of which were local - when it sank 100 years ago.

Davis Langdon and Urban Salon have also worked on the project, which was awarded £4.6m by the Heritage Lottery Fund and was given planning approval in October 2010.

Cracknell said: "The SeaCity Museum helps bring the story of the Titanic and the history of this city to life, and will do so for many visitors in years to come."

Details: www.culturesouthampton.org.uk

Image: Luke Hayes