BOSSES of a museum that fought to bring back the iconic Bluebird K7 to Coniston have accused a group that restored the craft of subjecting them to a 'barrage of abuse' online.

Donald Campbell's hydroplane was returned to its 'spiritual home' earlier this month 23 years after engineer Bill Smith recovered it from the water.

It followed a dispute between the Ruskin Museum and Mr Smith's Bluebird Project.

Now on display at the museum, the Bluebird Project, alongside other backers online, has been making calls for Mr Smith and his team to be involved in the maintenance and running of the craft.

Responding on social media site X, the museum accused the Bluebird Project of harassment.

It said: "You chose to walk away and now you are harassing us online.

"Please Bill just stop now, we just want to get on with things without the constant barrage of abuse from you."

Mr Smith has denied any harassment.

The Bluebird Project said in response: "People are holding you accountable for what you've done. That isn't going to stop."

The hydroplane flipped into the air and disintegrated, killing Campbell on January 4 1967 as he attempted a new water speed record on Coniston Water.

The wreckage, along with his body with his race suit intact, was recovered in 2001.

The vessel was transported from Mr Smith's yard in North Shields and reached Coniston just after 5pm on Saturday amid a carnival atmosphere.

It was welcomed by the Bluebird pilot's daughter Gina Campbell alongside a host of fans from around the world.

Hundreds of people gathered at the museum earlier this month as it went on display in a special wing dedicated to the craft.

David Barzilay, the communications director for the museum, said: "Having the boat in the wing which was specially built for her has changed the whole dynamic of the museum, it is now the jewel in the crown.

"Now that the boat is back interest is growing and there is no doubt that visitors to the museum and Coniston will increase, which will be a great boost for the local economy.”

He added: “Over the next year work will proceed on getting the boat back onto the water at Coniston but there is a great deal to be done before this can happen."