LAWYERS have opened up on the legal dispute that led to the iconic Bluebird K7 being brought back to Coniston.

Donald Campbell's hydroplane returned to the village 23 years after it was recovered from the water by engineer Bill Smith.

Forbes Solicitors was appointed by The Ruskin Museum in late 2022 to support its efforts to reclaim the Bluebird K7 hydroplane from the North Shields-based engineer after several years of deadlock and discussions between the museum and Mr Smith.

The Lancashire-headquartered law firm has revealed it always intended to avoid a court battle as it meant the public would be able to enjoy an iconic part of British history much sooner.

The vessel tragically flipped on Conistonin January 1967, killing pilot Donald Campbell, who was attempting to break his own World Water Speed Record of 276mph/

The damaged boat lay in Coniston Water until March 2001, when it was salvaged by Mr Smith, under an agreement with Mr Campbell's daughter Gina Campbell that Bluebird K7 would be restored and then returned to the Campbell family.

The vessel was finally welcomed back to Coniston on Saturday as crowds lined the streets to toasts its return.

Stephen McArdle, a partner and head of the commercial litigation team at Forbes Solicitors, said: “It had been our intention from the outset to reach a settlement as quickly and as amicably as possible.

"We worked closely with The Coniston Institute, The Ruskin Museum and Gina Campbell, with the sole objective of ensuring that the Bluebird K7 was returned to its rightful place at Coniston, so that it can be enjoyed by the public.

“Donald Campbell’s legacy is of national and international importance. A lengthy court battle would have only delayed and deprived the public from the pleasure of seeing Bluebird K7 in its spiritual home.”

Sheroze Nadeem, an associate at the firm said: “From the pre-action stage of issuing legal proceedings, we developed a clear strategy that was built on reiterating the generosity and goodwill shown by the Campbell family in gifting Bluebird K7 for restoration.

“There’s much respect and appreciation for the hydroplane’s restoration, and we’re sure the chronicling of this process has benefitted different parties during the past two decades.

"It was now time for Bluebird K7 to be returned to the museum."