A FAMILY has been left with mystery on its hands after discovering a message in a bottle washed up on Southbourne beach.

Diana Parkes was walking her dog Juno early in the morning when she discovered the corked bottle.

It contained a note concerning the sinking of the Titanic 100 years ago and in particular the fate of movie characters Jack and Rose, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the 1997 blockbuster.

She said: “We were walking along the beach and I saw it on the sand, half covered, half buried. I picked it up and was interested to see what was inside it.

“I almost didn’t want to open it because it was someone else’s property. It was slightly damp inside and we had to use tweezers to take it out.”

The note, signed ‘Love Asia Krzewska’, is headed ‘Dear Ocean’ and reads, complete with spelling mistakes: “I love you more than eagels. Than animals. More than sunshine. But I cannot believe what you did to Titanic.

“All I’m asking is for you to free Rose and Jack please I’m begging you. And if you can please free a poor child, I really whant (sic) to see them, I love them so much’.

Diana added: “You can just imagine that the child has seen Titanic and thought that those people are real. It could have washed up from anywhere, either miles away or it could have been put in the sea by someone just down the road.”

Back at their home nearby, 11-year-old daughter Gracie was interested to see what her mum had found.

She said: “It’s a really sweet story and it’s exciting. They have spelled a few things wrong, so I think they might be about eight or 10 years old.”

  • Do you know who wrote the letter? If so, contact reporter Steven Smith on 01202 411344.