THE wreck of the speed boat Bluebird is to be rebuilt on the Isle of White.

Salvage expert Bill Smith, from Newcastle, wants to restore the craft, which until last year lay at the bottom of Coniston Water, in Cumbria.

He and Gina Campbell, daughter of Donald Campbell, who died in 1967 during his world speed record attempt, had hoped the craft could be rebuilt in the region.

But, Mr Smith said: "Unfortunately the North-East has never had an aircraft industry and doesn't have the skills we need.

"The boat 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.''

Gina Campbell, 51, said: "I was always keen to have as much of the boat as possible rebuilt in the North, but if it must go down south for repair then, sadly, that's what will have to happen.''

The restoration team hopes to win £500,000 of National Lottery funding for its work.

Once restored, Bluebird will be given a test run on Coniston Water and then housed in the town's Ruskin Museum.