A PLUME of steam decorated the sunny skies across Oxfordshire on Saturday as The Cathedrals Express locomotive made a special trip through the county.

The steam train chugged its way through Oxford railway station on its way to Stratford-on-Avon in celebration of Shakespeare's birthday.

It made the special journey starting from Langley, heading through Slough, Twyford, Reading, Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Warwick and to Stratford-on-Avon.

Photographer Matt Hancock, from Bicester, managed to capture the special moment as the 34052 Lord Dowding and the Cathedrals Express as it travelled through Heyford with the rolling countryside proving the perfect backdrop.

Mr Hancock also managed to snap the locomotive as it dropped off passengers at Heyford Station.

The journey marked Shakespeare's 453rd birthday.

In celebration of the historic day, passengers were able to hope on at Oxford and enjoy vintage-style dining with a two course meal or picnic on board.

It comes nearly nine months after The Flying Scotsman passed through the county at the delight of locomotive fans.

The train was spotted passing through Didcot Parkway railway station on its way to London Paddington in June after the iconic train made its first journey in a decade following a £4.2m refit.