LONDON, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The iconic Rocket steam locomotive, hailed as one of the national treasures of Britain's transport age, is to go on long term display in the North of England, it was announced Monday.

The Rocket, designed by Robert Stephenson at the dawn of the railway age, was built in Newcastle in 1829 and it has now returned to its home city for the first time in 150 years.

It is one of the star attractions for this summer's Great Exhibition of the North event. The exhibition is an 80-day showpiece of the best art, design and innovation from across the north of England.

After Newcastle, the Rocket will go on show in Manchester before heading to the National Railway Museum in York where it will be on a long-term loan.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright welcomed the British Science Museum's plans to increase access to a key part of Britain's railway history.

Wright said: "Stephenson's Rocket is an iconic part of Britain's proud railway history and it is fantastic news that it will remain on long-term display in the North. It is right that our great art and culture reaches all parts of the country.

"This bold move by The Science Museum will ensure more people can see this national treasure and is an inspiring example of what can be done to make culture available to the widest possible audience."

Rocket was the clear winner in the locomotive trials held at Rainhill, near Liverpool in 1829 to decide the best design to power the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first inter-city rail link which opened in 1830.

After being displayed at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester until September the Rocket will return to the Science Museum in London for a short period to be prepared for its long-term move to the National Railway Museum in York.

There it will take its place among other global railway icons such as Mallard and the Bullet Train as part of the museum's ambitious plans to tell the story of the past, present and future of innovation on the railways.