Donald Campbell's world famous Bluebird boat could be given to the museum where it is hoped she will one day be displayed in her record-breaking glory.

The speed ace's daughter, Gina Campbell, said this week that the family trust that owns the boat was considering making the donation if it would help along the process of rebuilding her and returning her to Coniston.

Miss Campbell was speaking after a second bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore Bluebird and house her at an extension at the village's Ruskin Museum was turned down.

Miss Campbell said this week that the decision was not down to her alone. She was in discussions with the other four members of the trust, as any decision would have to be a joint one.

"It's an option under discussion," she said. "I'm personally contemplating donating the boat to the museum if it would expedite the restoration process and the extension at the museum."

If the donation was made, it would also have to be subject to conditions that would include the boat being restored, and her future being secured, she added.

The curator of the Ruskin Museum, Vicky Slowe, said: "Certainly that would be an extremely generous gesture and endorses their commitment to having Bluebird in Coniston."

She said the team behind the rebuild, which includes Bill Smith, the diver who recovered the boat from Coniston Water in 2001 and who has looked after her since that time, was still determined to bring Bluebird "home", and display her in her prime.

She also appealed to anyone interested in making a donation to contact the museum.

This week also marks the 50th anniversary of Campbell's first water speed record on Coniston Water. On September 19, 1956, he achieved a speed of 225.63mph in Bluebird.