DIVERS are set for an underwater adventure of a lifetime exploring a British merchant navy ship sunk in World War Two.

The SS Thistlegorm was sunk by Nazi bombers in the Red Sea on October 6, 1941.

The attack on theship, which was carrying army supplies, killed four sailors and five members of a Royal Navy gun crew.

The Thistlegorm was discovered in the early 1950s by legendary French sea explorer Jacques Cousteau, but the site near Ras Muhammad in Egypt was largely forgotten about until the early 1990s.

Members of Darwen Sub Aqua Club will be exploring the famous wreck, along with spectacular sea walls and reefs, next October.

Pat Booth, membership secretary, said: “This will be the first time we have gone as a group to the Red Sea.

“Anybody who is a qualified diver, who has the relative experience and qualifications, will be able to go with us.

“We’ll be staying on a liveaboard boat. The boat takes you up and down to different dives and sights.

"There are quite a few amazing dives in the Red Sea but they are not close together, and you can't get to them over land.

“The Thistlegorm sank during the Second World War. It was carrying ammunition, tanks, steam locomotives, motorbikes and plane parts for the services, and they are still down there. It’s an incredible dive.”

Members, who meet every Tuesday at 8pm at Bridge Street Sports and Social Club before diving for an hour at Darwen Leisure Centre, are now saving around £1,000 each to make the journey.

Meanwhile the British Sub Aqua Club branch, which is equipped with its own boat, compressor, and full sets of scuba equipment, is holding an open evening on Tuesday, ahead of new courses in October.

Contact Pat on 07777644310 to arrange a ‘try dive’ or for more information.