A £2m steam locomotive, the first in Britain for 40 years, moved for the first time at the weekend.

The Tornado is being built by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and is the first new mainline steam train to be constructed for four decades.

More than 150 invited guests attended Darlington Locomotive Works, in Hopetown Lane, to watch the Tornado move at the trust's annual convention on Saturday.

The train has recently had its wheels fitted and could be completed in two years, if more funding becomes available.

Mark Allat, chairman of the A1 Steam Locomotion Trust, said: "The convention went extremely well and there was a great response from guests when the Tornado moved for the first time."

Backers were given an update on how the work is going and there was a presentation on money-raising ideas.

"The next stage in the project is to finish the bottom of the locomotion and focus on raising a large sum of money."

The cost of constructing the train is estimated to be about £2m. Part of the money has been raised through deeds of covenant and sponsorship agreements.

The trust needs an advance of £1.25m to buy more locomotion parts and to complete the project as soon as possible.

Mr Allat said: "The length of time it takes to complete the project is entirely determined by money.

"If we were to get the advance now then we could complete it within two years.

"We have ideas on how to raise funds and we are looking at getting some from the financial markets."

Backers who attended the convention were also given an update on its construction progress. The trust unveiled several significant new components for the Tornado, including fettled coupling and connecting rods, which are due to be fitted soon.

After the demonstration, spectators were taken to the Blackwell Grange Hotel by vintage bus, where a presentation on the project's financial status and an overview of the trust's plans for 2003 were given.