A vintage locomotive owned by one of the world's most famous conservationists has moved to North Norfolk.

Black Prince, a steam engine owned by wildlife artist, David Shepherd, will be kept at Sheringham for the next three years.

Mr Shepherd, who travelled from his home in Surrey to travel on his prized possession to Holt, said: 'I bought her 43 years ago from British Rail. My wife and I have four daughters and I call her my fifth daughter. She has given pleasure to thousands of people. It is seen by about 100,000 people every year.

'I did an exhibition in New York in 1967 which sold out in an evening. I was on cloud nine.'

Mr Shepherd used the money from the exhibition to purchase the locomotive from British Rail for �3,000.

His passion for the engine ties in with his conservation work as Black Prince bears a plaque at the front which reads 'The David Shepherd wildlife foundation'.

He said: 'It tells people about my foundation. You can built another engine but you can't build another tiger. It's combines my two passions - I am using one to sell the other. I owe my successes to the animals I paint. I became a conservationist in one moment when I saw an elephant walking with three legs in South Africa. It was highly emotional.'

The locomotive has been kept in Gloucester for the past eight years.

Mr Shepherd added: 'I like North Norfolk. I find I unwind. There's an old-fashioned feeling about Sheringham. It's full of friendly people.'

National Railway Museum director Steve Davies said: 'It's a great thing to bring to the public. David has put his trust in North Norfolk and that says a lot about the place.'