The Brighton Belle made a triumphant return home today for the unveiling of a permanent memorial to one of Britain's best loved trains.

Two of the original coaches from the train, which carried the rich and famous between Brighton and London from 1933 to 1972, sedately rolled into platform six at Brighton station for a star-studded ceremony.

The Brighton Belle will be commemorated by a plaque on the concourse at Brighton station.

TV and stage stars, including Dora Bryan, Anna Wing and Carol Kaye waited excitedly on the platform for the Belle's sentimental journey home.

A jazz band played as coaches Vera and Audrey slowly slid into the platform.

Some members of the original crew of the Belle were there to see the two old girls make their graceful arrival.

Roy Fothergill, Maurice Haffenden and Victor Andrews proudly looked on as the splendid carriages, with their table lamps and sparkling white tablecloths, once again stood at the platform.

David Courtney, the businessman behind the Walk of Fame at Brighton Marina, said: "I am proud that this train, which was so much part of Brighton's heritage, is to have a permanent memory right here in the city."

Dora Bryan, a regular traveller on the Brighton Belle, said: "I was very choked when I saw the carriages once again come in to Brighton station.

"I spent many hours on the Brighton Belle talking, eating, drinking and learning my lines."

Unfortunately, Dora was unable to go on the last journey of the Brighton Belle in April 1972 because she had been injured in a car accident.

She said: "To be part of this ceremony has made up for that."