A replica of the Titanic anchor may not be returned to the Black Country community where the original was made – sparking anger among residents.

The 18ft-long iron anchor is now on display at the Black Country Living Museum in Tipton Road, Dudley.

Residents of Netherton — home to the factory where the original was built — want it to be returned there permanently in the new year.

Dudley Council originally said the anchor would be taken to Netherton in 2011 once a suitable home had been found.

But now deputy leader Councillor Les Jones has admitted that may not happen.

He said: “There’s no certainty it will be returned at the moment.

“It depends where the most people are going to see it. The museum attracts thousands of tourists and the anchor is a good focus and point of reference. I’m not sure there would be the same benefit from having it in Netherton but we are keeping an open mind.”

Netherton councillor Tracy Wood said: “The anchor belongs in Netherton so, while it’s been nice for visitors to the Black Country Museum to see it, we want it returned.”

Thousands lined the route from Dudley to Netherton during the summer as a television programme retraced its original journey taken in 1911. A recreation of the anchor designed and built by Netherton manufacturers Noah Hingley & Sons in 1911 was carried through the town.

The reconstruction of its original journey started from the site of the former Dudley Railway Station off Castle Hill. The programme recreated a procession taking the anchor from the station to where it was made.

But after only two hours of being in Netherton, the replica was transported to the museum. Since then it has been at the museum entrance, in Tipton Road, Dudley.

The replica anchor was made as part of a series on Channel Four called Titanic: The Mission.

Resident Tom Bates, aged 75, of Northfield Road, said: “We want the anchor here in the centre of Netherton.”