FORMER Countdown co-host Carol Vorderman will name a record-breaking locomotive Battle 0f Britain Memorial Flight in a ceremony to launch Railfest at York’s National Railway Museum.

Three iconic RAF planes – the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster – will fly overhead as she unveils the train in front of thousands of visitors at the opening of the nine-day festival on Saturday June 2.

A museum spokeswoman said the loco will carry a specially designed livery featuring the “planes and insignia of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (RAF BBMF) and the Lest We Forget” motto.

She said the loco, number 91110, achieved a UK national speed record for electric trains at Stoke Bank, north of Peterborough, on September 17, 1989 – a record which stood to this day.

She said: “Although various steam and diesel locomotives have carried aircraft names, this will be the first time a main line express locomotive will have been named and liveried in honour of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.”

Ms Vorderman, who stars on ITV’s panel show Loose Women, following 26 years as co-host of Channel 4’s quiz show Countdown, said it would have been a privilege to be asked to name any train.

She said: “But to be asked to unveil this particular East Coast locomotive, named Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight, is a deeply moving honour.

“I’ve been a friend and supporter of the RAF BBMF for a long time, and I’m thrilled to be invited to carry out this important ceremony.”

Paul Emberley, East Coast’s director of communications, said the named and liveried locomotive would be an ambassador for the RAF BBMF, and everything it stood for, along the East Coast Main Line.

Steve Davies, National Railway Museum director, said: “Railfest will be Britain’s biggest rail celebration, and there could be no finer way to open and launch it than with this prestigious and historic East Coast locomotive naming ceremony.”