A life-long railway fanatic's love of Flying Scotsman has left a permanent mark on him in more ways than one.

Jon Pridmore, 40, of Acomb, York, had the legendary locomotive's number - 4472 - tattooed between his shoulder blades yesterday.

The tattoo, which took about 90 minutes to complete in the engine's famous gold and green colours, was created by Mick Tomo, of Ruby Arts Tattooing, in Blossom Street, York.

Jon, whose enthusiasm for locomotives led to him becoming Programmes Officer at the National Railway Museum, said: "Flying Scotsman is a masterpiece of design and engineering and this is a personal way of showing my admiration for this classic locomotive."

Jon will be featured in an audio exhibition as part of The Flying Scotsman Story, which opens at the museum on April 5.

The £700,000 permanent exhibition, backed by Yorkshire Forward and the Heritage Lottery Fund, will tell the story behind the famous steam engine, its journeys to the US and Australia, and the prestigious East Coast rail service.

Updated: 10:11 Wednesday, March 15, 2006