A YEAR since Bluebird was salvaged from the depths, the famous craft is still on the blocks - with preservation yet to begin.

And, although there are plans to restore it to full working order, it is unlikely that the Bluebird will take to the water again.

Salvage expert Bill Smith, of Newcastle, who recovered the craft from the bottom of Coniston Water, in the Lake District, said last night there were no plans to start until "full agreement had been reached on everything".

He said: "We have not touched Bluebird at all and, until we have a plan fully sorted and everyone is in agreement, it will remain that way."

The team is trying to secure £500,000 in Lottery Funding it needs to complete the work.

Bluebird lay at the bottom of the 150-metre deep lake for 30 years following the crash that killed Donald Campbell in his attempt to break his own world speed record.

The boat's return to the surface, a year ago today, ended a four-year mission for Bill and his team of divers, after a lengthy search for the craft.

The boat, kept at a secret location on Tyneside, will be taken to Airframe Assemblies, on the Isle of Wight, who are experts in rebuilding Second World War aircraft such as Spitfires and Messerschmitts.

An Orpheus jet from a Gnat plane could be put in Bluebird.

Mr Smith said: "Once the engine has been mounted, we would like to run tests and hear the noise echo round the fells again. But we would not risk racing her again. It would not be worth it."

Once restored, Bluebird will be housed in the Ruskin Museum, in Coniston.

Donald Campbell's daughter, Gina, 52, a former world record holding speed enthusiast herself, has said she would like to race the boat one last time.

Her father died on January 4, 1967, trying to break his own record of 276.3mph. Bluebird flipped and crashed travelling at 300mph and its wreckage was soon lost.