READERS are dissapoint with a decision from a retired engineer who restored a famous hydroplane has said he is ‘bang up for’ a meeting with the museum he has been at loggerheads with over the future of the historic vessel.

Coniston’s Ruskin Museum and Bluebird Project’s Bill Smith have been engaged in a long-running tug-of-war over Bluebird K7, the vessel in which water-speed record-breaker Donald Campbell perished at Coniston Water in 1967.

The dispute centres around the conditions for the return of Bluebird to the museum following restoration by Mr Smith’s team on Tyneside.

The Mail readers took to social media to share their views:

Stephen Watson said: "It should have been left where it was as everyone knew what had happened and repected the man who lost his live doing what he did in it."

Simon Alexander said: "The bluebird should be the museums. Part of the lake district history.The engineer just wanted fame from day one."

Mark Corkan said: "So he wants to get famous off someone else's glory."

Bert Dilligaf said: "Should never of been taken from the lake."

Plumbago said: "He is despicable. The wreck should be offered to the family, not paraded around."

lakesailor said: "The best (too late now) tribute would have been to display the wreckage "as found".

"To have a toy he can flit about in, knowing he has a winter garage, is selfish in the extreme. I am amazed it has strung on as long as this. The time for the museum to get legal is overdue."

robnorth13 said "Until the RM announced they had purchased two engines (which they are perfectly entitled to do so ) Mr Smith was quiet, now he threatens again to pull the iconic craft to pieces again. Sour grapes or what!

"This is why it should be returned to the rm where professional people can maintain and run the nations heritage for us all."