A 'record-breaking' boat has been reunited with the World Water Speed Trophy.

Donald Campbell's hydroplane, Bluebird K7, was reunited with the trophy for the first time since his tragic death on Coniston Water in 1967.

The hydroplane made a private visit to the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Poole to celebrate the club's long relationship with the water speed record.

The club is the custodian of the World Water Speed Trophy, which has been presented to the fastest boat on water for the past 87 years.

The trophy has spent many years in Australia with the family of the current holder, Ken Warby.

But since his death last year, the family have allowed the club to collect the Trophy from Australia and return it to its home in Poole.

Graham Turner, commodore of the club, said: "To have both Bluebird K7 and the trophy together for the first time in more than 50 years is a great honour for the club and its members.

"We are looking forward to 2026 when once again Bluebird K7 will run on Coniston Water.

"The trophy's return started with a sad event – the passing of Ken Warby who had held the record of 317 mph since 1978 – an incredible achievement considering the advances in technology over the last nearly 50 years."

The reunification of the trophy and Bluebird was celebrated at the club with a luncheon for members and special guests, which included Donald Campbell's daughter, Gina Campbell, and Malcolm Campbell's grandsons, Don Wales and Peter Hulme, who are Trustees of the Campbell Family Heritage Trust.

Gina Campbell said: "This is another important milestone in the history of Bluebird K7, and my father would be delighted."

The boat was recovered from the depths of Coniston Water in 2001 and fully restored by enthusiasts.

It was returned to the Ruskin Museum in Coniston, which is now her permanent home.

Tracy Hodgson, director of the Ruskin Museum, said: "This is the first time that Bluebird K7 has left the museum since it was installed there in March of this year.

"Taking Bluebird K7 out of the museum is not something that we take lightly as we never want to disappoint people who travel from all over the world to see it.

"But this event is a very special occasion."

The trophy itself was made in 1870 for the then Prince of Wales as a cup for schooner racing in the UK, replacing the America’s Cup, which had been lost to the USA previously.

In 1937, the trophy was given to the Royal Motor Yacht Club and has been presented as the World’s Water Speed Trophy ever since.

Donald Campbell last held the record at 276mph, but this was then exceeded by Australian Ken Warby in 1978 and remains unbeaten.

However, there are now teams preparing to challenge for the trophy from the UK and Australia, including the current holder's son, Dave Warby, who has already achieved more than 260mph in his preparations.

Although the visit to the yacht club was for members only, the public was able to see the vessel in Hampshire on October 6, before it moved on to Samlesbury to celebrate the 70th anniversary of it being built on October 7.