Donald Campbell's Bluebird 'will run again' on Coniston Water

The record-breaking hydroplane will go on display in the Ruskin Museum

Donald Campbell's boat, Bluebird K7, will run again on Coniston Water, the Ruskin Museum has announced at its homecoming press conference.

The hydroplane's wreckage was recovered in 2001 after its pilot was killed in a crash on Coniston Water in 1967.

Following a lengthy legal battle, the craft was handed back to Coniston's Ruskin Museum on Saturday.

Museum bosses said: "We are happy to announce that the boat will run again on Coniston at a time to be agreed."

• 'Spite, anger and miracles': The Battle for Bluebird

Donald Campbell's daughter gifted the wreckage to the Ruskin Museum

Donald Campbell died on 4 January 1967 aged 45 when Bluebird flipped into the air and disintegrated as he attempted a water speed record on Coniston Water.

The hydroplane was lifted from the lake in 2001 and restored by Tyneside engineer Bill Smith.

Mr Smith went on to stake a claim in its ownership, which was disputed by Mr Campbell's daughter, Gina Campbell, and the museum. Mr Smith eventually walked away and handed the hydroplane to the Ruskin Museum.

Jeff Carroll, vice-chairman of the museum's trustees, said: "K7 only returned home last night. People need to see her in the museum wing that was built for her and there is lots of work to do. But we have plans to run K7 now that we have her back."

The museum had already announced its intention to get the craft running on the lake again, saying once it had Bluebird in its possession it would apply for permission to the Lake District National Park Authority.

Mr Carroll said: "We have an engineering team in place to take the boat to the next stage on its journey."

• Museum aims to run Campbell's Bluebird again

The reconstructed craft took to the water in Scotland in August 2018 before cheering crowds, as part of tests while under the care of Mr Smith.

Miss Campbell said: "At last, I shall be able to fulfil my promise made to Coniston way back in 2001 that Bluebird would return to the village and people that my father held so dear."