THE family of Coniston speed legend Donald Campbell have urged the man behind the Bluebird's restoration to return the boat to its rightful owners.

The world watched in horror back in 1967 when Campbell was killed while attempting to set a new water speed world record on Coniston.

Locals “successfully misdirected” opportunistic amateur divers who attempted to find and retrieve Bluebird’s wreckage, who did so without the approval or knowledge of Campbell’s family, but in 2001 his final resting place was located by Bill Smith from Newcastle.

The wreckage, which the Campbell family gifted to Coniston’s Ruskin Museum in 2006, was handed over to Tyneside engineer Bill Smith on the understanding that, once restored, it would be returned to Coniston.

However, despite the completion of an £800,000 purpose-built extension to house the boat in 2010 as well as successful runs on Bute, Coniston is still to see the boat’s return.

Donald Campbell's daughter Gina, who has previously supported Bill Smith, has now urged him to return her father's boat to Coniston.

"When Bluebird was handed over for restoration, I made a promise to the people of Coniston that the boat would be returned," she said.

"And now, 14 years after we gifted the boat to Coniston’s Ruskin Museum, Bluebird still hasn't been returned home.

I feel sorry for the people of Coniston, the Ruskin Museum - who have gone to such lengths to try and secure the boat's return - and of course the public who deserve to see her too.

It's spine-chillingly fantastic to see her in action, there aren't words to describe it.

"It's time for everyone to have the opportunity to see Bluebird on Coniston Water and in the Ruskin Museum, and celebrate the very best of British engineering and British endeavour."

The Ruskin Museum has launched legal proceedings to ensure Bluebird's return to Coniston but trustees are still hopeful an amicable agreement can be reached.

In a statement the Ruskin Museum trustees said: "As custodians and trustees of the museum our obligations are to preserve, protect and defend one of the most iconic boats in British history for the benefit of the public.

"What Bill Smith and his team of volunteers have achieved is remarkable. Our duty as an accredited museum is to ensure that Bluebird can be shown off to all who want to see her and learn about her exceptional story."

READ MORE: Gina Campbell speaks exclusively to The Mail