A SPECTACULAR flypast by three iconic aircraft marked the opening of a nine-day celebration of the railways in York.

Railfest 2012 takes place at the National Railway Museum (NRM) in Leeman Road until June 10.

Saturday’s opening ceremony saw hundreds of visitors flock to the attraction to watch a record-breaking East Coast locomotive being officially named “Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight” by TV star Carol Vorderman.

The locomotive will carry a specially-designed livery featuring the planes and insignia of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), of which the former Countdown presenter is a long-standing supporter.

Three of the BBMF’s aircraft – a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster – roared over the museum and flew across the city as the unveiling took place.

The locomotive – number 91110 – achieved a UK national speed record for electric trains in 1989 which still stands to this day, and is the first to be named and liveried in honour of the BBMF.

Carol was joined by Alan Dedicoat, the “Voice Of The Balls” on the BBC’s National Lottery show, as he provided a commentary on the airborne event.

NRM director Steve Davies said: “The Spitfire flying over was the release point of 15 months of hard work, and I’m not ashamed to admit there was a tear coursing down my cheek because of the sheer energy and team spirit which has gone into this.”

More information about Railfest 2012 can be found at www.nrm.org.uk/railfest2012.