THE Flying Scotsman is a national treasure: a romantic symbol of a time gone by. It is therefore splendid news that the world's most famous locomotive is to be kept in this country, and even better news that it is steaming our way.

The National Railway Museum in York is the most fitting place for the Flying Scotsman to be based and the city can look forward to significant economic benefits as a result.

Unlike York, Shildon doesn't immediately spring to many minds when it comes to tourist attractions. But it is amazing what vision and ambition can do.

Thanks to those who saw the potential for Shildon to become an offshoot of the National Railway Museum, the County Durham town will also play a key role in the Flying Scotsman success story.

It was confirmed yesterday that the locomotive will be starring at the opening of Shildon's £10m Locomotion Museum in September.

The opening of the museum was already destined to generate international interest. With the Flying Scotsman being named as the headline act, Shildon can look forward to even more attention.

For far too long, our region has failed to capitalise on its unique railway heritage. We gave the world its first passenger railway, but what have we done to shout it from the rooftops?

Slowly but surely, it is changing. With York and Shildon leading the way, and additional plans being put in place for a tourist train trail across the North-East, it seems we are finally waking up.

Make a date in your diaries now: Pay a visit to Shildon on September 27 - and see history come to life.