DAME Shirley Bassey DBE brought her sparkling personality and the Monaco sunshine to the Snowdonia mountains on Thursday.

The glittering 81-year-old Welsh singer known for belting out the hits including the James Bond theme tunes Diamonds are Forever and Goldfinger, was at the Snowdon Mountain Railway on Thursday for a carriage naming ceremony.

The glamorous star, who rarely makes public appearances, was flown in specially by the railway to have a carriage named in her honour.

She rode on the 122 -year-old narrow gauge rack and pinion mountain railway, in a carriage with gleaming new livery and powered by a diesel loco driven.

She was taken up to the Waterfall platform, where there was a curtain pulling ceremony, revealing her name on the carriage, and she was also presented with a bronze medallion by railway commercial manager Vince Hughes.

The carriage naming recognises Dame Shirley as an international ambassador for Wales for her musical career. She is the third and last Welsh artist to be honoured.

Fighting back the tears, the Tiger Bay, Cardiff-born international star, said she thought the new carriage with her name on its livery, was: “Just Fabulous, I am going to cry.”

Speaking of her medal she said it is “just beautiful, don’t forget to give it back to me,” she teased, as she passed it back to be held while she stepped forward to address awaiting press cameras.

Dame Shirley is the fourth person to be honoured with a carriage naming by the railway, the last one was Katherine Jenkins OBE, in 2015, the others are Sir Bryn Terfel CBE and Sir David Brailsford CBE.

Mr Hughes said: The carriage naming recognises individuals who have been “outstanding individuals in their field and we wanted to save the best ‘til last.”

“I’m sure the other three won’t mind me saying that nobody’s done more to put Wales on the map than Dame Shirley.”

Dame Shirley said she was grateful to the Snowdon Mountain Railway for this “great honour.” and that she thought the area was also “beautiful,” but that she had not been to the area before.

“It’s been a privilege to entertain audiences around the world and help put Wales on the international stage. I’m proud of my Welsh roots. This honour keeps me forever connected to Wales and one of its iconic locations, ” she said.

When asked if she had had anything else named after her, she thought for a moment, “There is a Dame Shirley Bassey Way in Cardiff, but having things names after me isn’t something that has happened to me that often!”

After the ceremony, back at the station in Llanberis, Dame Shirley briefly chatted with visitors and signed autographs, before being whisked away in a black BMW.

Stunned visitors to the railway, who didn’t know she was coming, included a coach party from Scotland.

Anne Pirrie, from Inverness, said: “We have had a fantastic time, we were surprised to find Shirley Bassey was here, it was the cherry on the cake of our visit.”

Audrey Hellier, 90, from Rosshire, said: “We saw Shirley, well, got a glimpse, mind you, I’m 10 years older you know, I won’t say who looked the best! We’ll all be singing her songs now!”

Karen Jones, from Llanberis said: “She was very nice, she stopped to speak to people, very friendly and she was smiling.”

Catherine Williams from Rhosgadfan said “I thought she looked very elegant, her coat looked very expensive.”

Allan Leech, CEO of Heritage GB said: “We are extremely honoured, Dame Shirley doesn’t make a lot of appearances, she doesn’t often leave Monaco, so we are especially privileged she came. She very genuine and it has been a superb day.”

Vince Hughes said: “It couldn’t have gone any better she brought the glorious sunny weather with her all the way from Monaco!

“It’s been a privilege to meet her, we are delighted to have been able to name a carriage in her honour. She hopes to come back and wants to visit the Snowdon summit sometime.”