Campbell's cigarette case auctioned

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A friend of British speed-record breaker Donald Campbell is auctioning a silver cigarette case he gave her.

Beryl Norris, 87, of East Sussex, was given the case in the 1960s when she was the wife of Campbell's late chief engineer Lew Norris.

The case was previously owned by Campbell's father, the record-breaking motor racer Sir Malcolm Campbell.

It features the words: "If found, return to M. Campbell, Chislehurst, Kent, Reward will be given."

Donald Campbell was killed on Coniston Water in Cumbria in 1967 while attempting to break a world speed record.

'Belonged to heroes'

Mrs Norris said: "We were at Donald's house one day and he said to me: 'I've got a present for you'.

"He presented me with this beautiful silver cigarette case but I told him I couldn't possibly accept it because it had belonged to his father.

"He was determined that I should have it, telling me: 'You're going to have it. You are the wife of my best friend.'"

The cigarette case is expected to fetch £3,000 when it is sold at Gorringes auctioneers in Lewes, East Sussex, on 8 September.

Gorringes spokeswoman Francesca Collin said it was generating widespread interest as it "belonged to such heroes."