AN historic locomotive has been moved to its new home - on a busy North-East roundabout.

The locomotive No 16, built in Thornaby, Cleveland, was installed on the roundabout by a 34-metre high crane yesterday.

The 131-year-old engine, which has been restored to its former glory by a locomotive enthusiast, will be on permanent display on the roundabout, in Stockton, to celebrate the town's railway heritage.

Stockton Borough Council and BP Cats, at Seal Sands, teamed up to restore the engine. BP Cats' lead electrical technician, Steve Pickthall, a lifelong steam locomotive fan, carried out the restoration.

No 16 was one of a number of engines built by Head Wrightson in the 1870s, and one of two based at Seaham harbour until the 1960s. It was stored at Preston Park, Eaglescliffe, for a number of years before the restoration project got under way.

It has now taken pride of place on the roundabout at the junction of Riverside and Bridge Road, near to the replica of the Endeavour, on the River Tees.

Councillor Geoff Field, Stockton council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "This latest exciting project is part of an ongoing process to produce roundabouts that reflect the history of the borough.

"I am sure that the roundabout will help to remind people of the proud role citizens of the borough played in the development of the railways."

Steve Pickthall said he was delighted to have been involved.

"The project was certainly a challenge, given the timescale we were working to," he said.

"We were aiming to stop the corrosion and bring the locomotive back to the original condition it was in when it was built."

A spokeswoman for BP Cats said: "We were able to offer expertise, materials and manpower, which made the project viable.