The family of a world famous diver from Staffordshire are being forced to sell another piece of his rare and unique memorabilia.

Carl Spencer’s devastated widow has had to part with the custom car her husband spent four years building.

The “heartbreaking decision” was made after the 39-year-old’s life insurance failed to pay out following his death while diving on Titanic’s sister ship, The Britannic, three years ago. The feat is viewed as the diving equivalent of conquering Everest.

Mr Spencer, from Kings Bromley, near Lichfield, worked with Titanic film director James Cameron and recovered Donald Campbell’s body from Lake Coniston along with his Bluebird K7. Mr Campbell died trying to set a new water speed record in 1967.

Bloxwich-born Mr Spencer, 39, was immensely proud of the rare Mark Phillips Cobra Evocation AC replica he created. The father-of-two even put a plaque in the engine bay to say he built the vehicle.

But the family of the pioneering technical diver, who was pallbearer at Mr Campbell’s funeral, has now come to the ‘difficult conclusion’ to auction it at an H&H classic cars sale at Donnington Priory on August 8.

The decision has been made just months after his widow was forced to auction other pieces of memorabilia Mr Spencer amassed during his career.

The money raised will help them to stay in the family home.