Keighley's "Mr Goldfinder" Keith Jessop may refuse to join a multi-million pound expedition to help solve the 25-year-old mystery surrounding the sinking of a Hull trawler, the Gaul.

Keith, 67, one of the most famous wreck hunters in the world, had been called in by the Gaul Family Association to try to find out what happened to their loved ones.

Keith, who now lives in Spain, spent weeks studying maps and evidence and made his recommendations, which involved a manned dive.

That was ruled out by government experts who claimed it was too dangerous, and a remote operated vehicle exploration is to go ahead instead.

The operation is being funded by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and is backed by the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau.

This week Keith told the Keighley News: "I am trying to get more information, but I have to say I am not happy with the proposal as far as I am concerned.

"They want me just to sit in a room and watch the film from the ROV. I took this job on because I feel for the families.

"I want to find out if the remains of their loved ones are on the Gaul. That must be the main objective.

"I will not put my name to anything unless I play a full and active role."

The Gaul went down on February 8, 1974, in a force nine gale, taking with it the 36-strong crew. Since then it has been the subject of controversy, many people believing it was targeted by the former Soviet Union because it was on a spying mission.

The Gaul is in the same area of the Barents Sea where in 1981 Mr Jessop retrieved £40 million in gold ingots from the wartime wreck of HMS Edinburgh. But at 900ft, the Gaul is 100 feet deeper.

Barry Tindall, the solicitor representing relatives of the crew, said earlier: "Mr Jessop is joining the expedition because of his expertise in deep sea exploration and his knowledge of these waters.

"He has particular knowledge of using remote operated vehicles.

"We originally wanted a manned dive, but the government said it was too dangerous."

Added Keith: "For me this is about the families and nothing else. I have no interest in this talk of spy ships."

He said the Gaul Family Association wanted to find out if their loved ones' remains were still in the trawler.

It was also hoped to explore the cabin to see if it was carrying extra equipment, which might suggest it was used on a spying mission.

The operation - expected to take place in July or August - will be filmed for a TV documentary by Norman Fenton, who discovered the resting place of the Gaul four years ago.

An inquiry in 1974 concluded that the trawler capsized and foundered after being overwhelmed by heavy seas. The families never accepted the verdict.