THE genius of engineer Robert Stephenson will be the focus of an exhibition in Northumberland.

Robert Stephenson – Life and Rainhill will feature the Rainhill Trials where Rocket, built by Robert and father George, won the pair £500 and a contract to supply the new Liverpool & Manchester Railway with locomotives.

Visitors will be able to take an interactive tour of part of the Stephenson works in Newcastle.

The exhibition, running at Bellingham Heritage Centre from April 4 to May 11, was organised by the Robert Stephenson Trust.

Trustee Michael Taylor said: “Together with the heritage centre’s Border Counties Railway display and the two Mark 1 railway coaches they are about to refurbish, this is a must-see exhibition for railway, engineering and history buffs and the general public.”