It may bear more of a resemblance to an ancient sewing machine than an historic steam engine, but classic locomotive Puffing Billy drew plenty of admiring glances when it stopped off at Sheringham at the weekend.

A replica of a locomotive built in 1813 to haul coal from Wylam Colliery, Northumberland, Puffing Billy was on loan from Beamish Museum in County Durham.

Manned by a crew in Edwardian train drivers' garb, the engine spent the Bank Holiday weekend puffing slowly up and down the tracks at the North Norfolk Railway's Sheringham station.

Other attractions laid on as part of the event included busking on the platform and, at Holt Station, volunteers in Edwardian dress holding steam and hat-making workshops.

North Norfolk Railway event co-ordinator Chrissie Rayment said Puffing Billy, the original of which is in London's Science Museum, had proved a hit with station visitors of all ages.

'It has been a really busy weekend,' she added. 'And we have even had people extend their holidays especially to see Puffing Billy.'