He has been standing tall in Lichfield for almost a century despite hailing from Stoke-on-Trent - but new research has debunked the theory that the statue of Titanic skipper Commander Edward Smith ended up in Staffordshire after being shunned by the outraged folk of the Potteries.

Volunteers said Lichfield was actually picked as it was a major coaching route between London and Liverpool – and a good place for American tourists to pay their respects to the man who went down with his ship.

Joyce Berry, of the Lichfield Heritage Centre, said: “There’s the story that Stoke commissioned it and the people wouldn’t put it up – but that’s not true from our research.”

The statue of Smith was unveiled in Lichfield’s Beacon Park in 1914 and restored two years ago.

And it will be the focal point of the city’s commemorations of the Titanic disaster.

More than 1,500 flickering tea lights – one for each person who died – will be placed around the base of the statue on the 100th anniversary of the liner’s collision with an iceberg on April 14.

Earlier on the same day, a distress flare representing the flares set off from the Titanic a century earlier will be fired over the city.

And the following morning a commemorative service will be held at the statue of Captain Smith in Beacon Park’s Museum Gardens.

The sinking of the Titanic continues to capture the public imagination.

The world’s largest tourist attraction dedicated to the doomed liner opened its doors in Belfast recently.

And the centenary of the disaster has also prompted an ITV series and the release of James Cameron’s epic Titanic movie in 3D.

“It speaks of all the attributes of being human,” said Mary Hutchinson, of the Lichfield Titanic Commemoration Group.

“There was rightful pride from creating a state-of-the-art vessel with the patronage of some of the northern hemisphere’s most wealthy and influential people.

“The captain was on his retirement journey, the whole thing was completely state-of-the-art 100 years ago and then faced such appalling tragedy on so many fronts.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that the statue stands as far from the sea as it can be.

“It is in Lichfield because, when it was commissioned, this was a major coaching route between London and Liverpool.

“It was thought a good place for American tourists to pay their respects. Also, because of the cathedral, this was the philosophical heart of the diocese.”

Captain Smith was born in Hanley, Stoke, in 1850. The statue was commissioned by friends of the captain after his death.

The 8ft-tall statue, which stands on a 7ft plinth of Cornish granite, was unveiled – not without some opposition – in July 1914.

Ms Berry said: “There were protests from people who didn’t think he deserved a statue.

“He was considered the cause of the accident by some, while others thought he shouldn’t be singled out.

“I think Captain Smith has become a national figure, whether he’s a hero or not.

“He’s been portrayed as ignoring warnings and going too fast.

“But he’s honoured because he stayed at his post and went down with his ship.”

Mrs Hutchinson agreed. “He did his utmost to save as many lives as he could,” she said. “You just have to compare him to the captain of the Costa Concordia.”

The statue shows Captain Smith in defiant pose, with the words “Be British” carved underneath.

Mrs Hutchinson said: “Some anecdotes say those were the last words he said before he perished.”

It was created by sculptor Lady Kathleen Scott, the widow of Captain Robert Scott of the doomed Antarctic expedition.

“There’s a great poignancy to that,” said Mrs Hutchinson. “She probably would not have known at that stage of her husband’s death.

“Both men died because of ice, cold, nature. Both could be regarded as heroes or possibly fools.

“But they were amazing gentlemen.”

Lichfield’s district and city council have worked with other groups to stage the Titanic-themed events, which run until April 21.

They also include a “First Class” dinner at Swinfen Hall Hotel on April 13 and a “Third Class” informal night of music and dance at Nether Stowe School on April 10.

Coun Louise Flowith, cabinet member for tourism at Lichfield District Council, said: “A wide range of events – from film and dramatic performances, to fine dining evenings – will take place across the district.

“We hope lots of people will get involved and help to mark this tragic and significant date in our history.”

?More information is available at www.visitlichfield.co.uk/titanic