RESIDENTS of Deeside should attend a memorial service of an 'infamous' local tragedy.

This year is the 160th anniversary of the Royal Charter Tragedy and local resident Ian Gibbons is urging people to attend.

The Royal Charter was a steam clipper which was built and launched in Sandycroft.

It was wrecked off the beach Dulas Bay on the north-east coast of Anglesey on o October 26 1859.

The ship was returning to Liverpool from Melbourne when it hit a storm, over 400 people lost their lives, which was the highest death toll of any shipwreck on the Welsh coast.

Ian Gibbons said: "It was built and launched from Sandycroft

"A big memorial will be held in Anglesey which will show people what went on there.

"Relatives of those who tried to save lives and relatives of those who lost their lives will be there.

"For those in North Wales, and Deeside especially, it's a special event. It was built locally and had a disastrous launch.

"I give lectures every so often at the Quay Waterman's in Connah's Quay. There are people who will want to go to that memorial, it has a lot of local connotation to it.

"It's infamous in North Wales."

The event will include a number of talks, including Chris Holden from the Flintshire area, and the 'Scoresby Chair' will be on display, which is made from timber recovered from the Royal Charter.

The event will be held on October 26 at Moelfre Church and Community Hall.

Tickets are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/anglesey-marine-archaeology-shipwreck-club.