STEAM enthusiasts were given a chance to catch a rare glimpse of a famous engine as it rolled through Oxfordshire.

The LNER Class A4 Union of South Africa was spotted at several county stations including Didcot, Radley and Appleford on June 16, as it completed a return journey to Worcester from London Paddington.

The Railway Touring Company's 'The Cotswold Venturer' trip came through Oxford and at Wolvercote Junction joined the Cotswold Line as part of the luxury journey.

It was a welcome return to the tracks for the little-seen world-famous locomotive, which was designed by Nigel Gresley for the London and North Eastern Railway in 1935.

With a distinctive streamlined design that helps it reach high speeds, one of the A4 class, the Mallard, holds the record for fastest steam train at 126mph.

Current owner John Cameron plans to permanently withdraw the Union of South Africa in April 2019 but before then it will complete the same scenic trip in August.