AN a-maze-ing tribute to the Flying Scotsman has cropped up in a 30-acre field.

York Maze has been designed in the shape of the legendary steam locomotive to celebrate its new home at the city's National Railway Museum.

The maze is the idea of farmer Tom Pearcy, who created his first one - 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 York Tourism Awards.

Mr Pearcy said: "We started planning as soon as the last maze had closed. 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 him 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 Mr Pearcy's Jersey cows, whose milk is used to produce the ice cream on sale to visitors.

The maze opens to the public tomorrow.