ON OCTOBER 10, the Durban Castle liner set sail from South Africa to Southampton, with 21-year-old actress Gay Gibson on board.

She was last seen alive in the early hours of October 18 as the ship travelled up from Cape Town, up the African coastline.

When they were 90 miles off the Guinea coastline, she was no longer on board.

Now, Romsey will play host to a retired Hampshire chief superintendent and his talk about the crime that saw one cabin steward arrested upon his return to Southampton.

Next month will mark the 70th anniversary of the trial at Winchester of a man named James Camb, a deck steward on board.

He was accused of entering her cabin and killing her, though he claims that she died of natural causes, and in a panic, he threw her body through the porthole and into shark-infested waters.

Paul Stickler retired from the police force many years ago and spends his time researching historical murders and presenting them.

Next Thursday (Feb 15), Romsey Town Hall will play host to Paul's talk, with the original papers from the case.

Paul said: "It really is a fascinating case and I always want the public to make up their own mind.

"His defence was that although he had acted improperly by throwing her body into the sea, she had in fact died through natural causes.

"I have seen and worked with the original papers, and it's full of exciting details and a number of twists.

"I have always enjoyed looking at historical murders, and it fills most of my time since I retired. I now present them on cruise ships."

Romsey's town centre manager, Mark Edgerley, said he was pleased to see the event come to the town.

Romsey town clerk Judith Giles said: "I have enjoyed Paul Stickler's talks on a cruise and am delighted he has agreed to bring his experience in murder investigations to our Town Hall. I know people will find his talk absorbing and challenging as well as entertaining."

The talk begins at 7pm, with tickets £6.50 on the night.