Fire brigade called out to rescue Flying Scotsman

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue had to help the Flying Scotsman on its way to rail festival

A fire service described refilling the Flying Scotsman with water as "one of our more unusual call-outs".

The famous steam engine was en route to the Greatest Gathering rail event in Derby on Saturday when it had to stop at sidings in Kettering.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue said it was called after the locomotive's road water tanker broke down.

In a social media post, it said one of its carrier vehicles was called after "quick thinking from a Network Rail employee on board" the train.

The Flying Scotsman was one of the star attractions at the Greatest Gathering

The Greatest Gathering was hosted by train manufacturer Alstom from Friday to Sunday.

More than 140 locomotives and railway vehicles were on display as part of Railway 200, a year-long commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the world's first passenger railway journey.

The fire service said its crews "were proud to assist with a very special operation".

"A great example of teamwork across services to keep history steaming ahead," it added.