COLNE Precinct could be renamed in honour of the town’s most famous son to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster.

Talks are taking place to name the town centre shopping arcade after bandmaster Wallace Hartley, who famously lead the band as the liner sank after hitting an iceberg.

His body was recovered two weeks after the ship sank, still fully dressed in his bandmaster uniform, and returned to Colne where a huge procession followed his body to its burial on May 18 1912.

Councillors have been asking for suggestions for new names for the precinct in recent weeks and suggestions have included Hartley Parade and Hartley Plaza.

Coun Tony Greaves said: “Colne Precinct is not a particularly exciting name.

The Titanic

“I do think there is some value in doing it in collaboration with the Wallace Hartley Titanic celebrations next year and we should consult Colne in Bloom about it.

“We can see if Colne in Bloom could incorporate the renaming into the special Wallace Hartley stuff they have planned next year.”

Coun George Askew added: “I was talking to a business owner on Colne Precinct only recently and he made the point that most people in Colne don’t even know where the precinct is.

The Titanic

“They don’t know what area of town it is as it is not a name that is regularly used or is catchy.

“I think renaming it after Wallace Hartley could work very well given the timeframe of the anniversary.”

Traders and residents are likely to be consulted before a final decision on the renaming takes place.