On 17th July 1964, Sir Donald Campbell fired up the Proteus turbo-prop engine of 'Bluebird' and set off onto the salt flats of Lake Eyre in Australia, in an attempt to break the World Land Speed Record.

Conditions were not perfect and the surface was damp but Campbell was undaunted.

On his third run he set a world-breating speed of 403.10mph - a record for a wheel-driven car which stood until 2001.

Bluebird's iconic design came from Rubery Owen and Campbell owed a significant debt of gratitude to one of the regions's great industrial figures of the 20th Century, Sir Alfred Owen.

Hear about Sir Alfred and his contributions to the region in this interview with David Owen.

See the video...