Its glorious return to the tracks this week has prompted excitement across the country, with thousands flocking to see it steam its way from London to York.

And now, Britain's most famous locomotive is to pay a visit to Norwich.

The Flying Scotsman will power its way into the city later this spring, as part of a series of trips being planned around the country.

The locomotive has been out of action for around a decade while it underwent a £4.2m refit. But it made its grand return yesterday, leaving from King's Cross and heading north to York, where it will be based at the National Rail Museum. It arrived almost an hour later than expected, after being held up twice by reports of trespassers, keen for a good view.

It will make the journey from Ely to Norwich and back in May. Passengers have paid almost £180 for a ticket.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: 'We are all excited to see The Flying Scotsman return to our rails and we know that many people have waited years for this.'

The locomotive undertook a series of test runs through Cumbria and Lancashire earlier this year.

Tickets for its journey to Norwich, billed as an East Anglian cream tea outing, have already sold out, but people can turn out to watch.

It will depart Ely at 2pm on Wednesday, May 25 and arrive in Norwich at 3.30pm, returning at 4.30pm for a 6pm arrival at Ely.