Celebrated wildlife artist, conservationist and steam-train owner David Shepherd is coming to the North Norfolk Railway next month to talk about his Wildlife Foundation charity's work helping to save endangered species, and his own life as an artist.

Steam fans will have the chance to travel on the Poppy Line behind Mr Shepherd's own engine, Black Prince, from Sheringham to Weybourne station where he will give his talk on Saturday June 16.

He bought the train, one of the most powerful engines ever built for British Railways, straight out of service 45 years ago, and she has been running on the Poppy Line for the past two years.

The evening also includes a wine reception and private view of a special exhibition and sale of his prints and paintings. The exhibition will be open to the public during the day on Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17.

The event begins at Sheringham Station, where guests should assemble by 7pm for the trip to Weybourne. The special train will arrive back at Sheringham at around 10pm.

Tickets cost �25 per head and can be booked at www.nnrailway.co.uk or 01263 820 800.

All proceeds from the evening will go to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, established in 1984.

Through the foundation Mr Shepherd, who began his career as an aviation artist, has raised more than �5m for wildlife conservation to save critically endangered mammals in the wild.