Lancashire man eyes world water speed record

David Aldred worked on the restoration of Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7

A Lancashire man who was involved in the rebuild of Donald Campbell's record-breaking Bluebird hydroplane craft is constructing a new boat to try to set the fastest ever speed on water.

Campbell used the Bluebird K7 to set seven world water speed records between 1955 and 1964 before he was killed in a crash attempting to beat his own times in 1967.

David Aldred is building a new hydroplane, named Longbow, in his garage workshop in Thornton Cleveleys.

The plan is for the boat, which has two jet engines, to be piloted by Southport-born RAF pilot Flight Lieutenant David-John Gibbs in a future record breaking attempt.

"The record is 317mph. So that's what we're focusing on at the moment," Mr Aldred said.

"Unlike a land speed record where it's done in the desert and it's just a YouTube video, this will be done in the Lake District, where you can come and see it skimming across the water with a guy putting his life on the line to get the record for Britain."

Longbow will feature two jet engines

The current record of 317mph (510km/h) was achieved by Australian Ken Warby in the Spirit of Australia in 1978.

His son Dave Warby is also vying to beat the speed record with his craft, Spirit of Australia II.

Mr Aldred said he welcomed the competition but stressed "safety is paramount".

"You can get into a situation where you are under pressure from sponsors and the public and everybody else to just get on with it," he said.

"Campbell killed himself and the last two attempts since Ken Warby got the record have both been fatal.

"You find a problem and go away and sort it out. There's always another day."

A date for the Longbow world water speed record attempt is yet to be set.