AN A-MAIZING tribute to the Flying Scotsman has cropped up on 30 acres of York fields.

York Maize Maze has this year been designed in the shape of the legendary steam locomotive to celebrate its new home at the National Railway Museum.

The maze, situated off Hull Road, near the Grimston Bar Park & Ride, is the brainchild of farmer Tom Pearcy, who created his first maze - a Viking longboat - in 2002 as a way of diversifying his business.

Last year, the maze returned as a spider's web, attracting about 20,000 visitors, and picked up the best newcomer accolade at the prestigious York Tourism Awards.

"We started planning as soon as the last maze had closed," said Tom. "When the Flying Scotsman was in the news, we decided to design the maze to celebrate."

The design, which incorporates two million growing plants, took Tom two weeks to complete, with a further few weeks to cut down the necessary plants with two helpers.

When the attraction closes for the winter, the maize will be harvested for silage to feed Tom's Jersey cows, whose milk is used to produce the ice cream on sale to visitors.

The maze opens to the public on Saturday.

It will be open seven days a week between 10am and 5pm for the next two months.

Admission is £3.50 for adults and £2.50 for children. Visit www.yorkmaize.co.uk for more information.

Updated: 10:28 Thursday, July 15, 2004