The discovery by a Keighley-born deep sea explorer of a sunken German submarine has led to plans to bring it to the surface and make it the centrepiece of an exhibition.

Graham Jessop, son of Keith, who was among a team which last month discovered an historic sunken German submarine, has revealed plans for its future.

Mr Jessop's recent appearance on German radio to tell the mystery surrounding the sinking of U-boat U21 in 1919 has now sparked a campaign to recover the vessel.

"The programme had a two million audience and the story absolutely fascinated the German people," said Mr Jessop, recovery manager for deep sea exploration company RMS Titanic.

RMS Titanic is spearheading the work to rescue historic artefacts from the tragic liner, which sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg.

Earlier this summer the company was commissioned to find U21 and eventually discovered it in the North Sea, where it sank in 1919 when sailing to surrender to the British Grand Fleet at Lowestoft.

Mr Jessop was invited to talk about the submarine on German radio.

"It really caught people's imagination. We have been approached by a number of interested parties who want to recover it and make it the centre of a maritime exhibition.

"The project is likely to cost several million pounds but six German institutions have indicated they are interested in sponsoring the venture."