HUGE steam engines are descending on Blandford Forum this week for the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

The action-packed event, which offers a blend of nostalgia and entertainment, in the village of Tarrant Hinton near Blandford Forum started yesterday and runs until Sunday.

More than 200,000 visitors attend every year and the event appeals to everyone from families, to couples, groups, campers, shoppers and even adrenalin junkies.

The showground covers more than 600 acres with lots to do.

There will be displays of steam engines in the heavy haulage arena, as the show has probably one of the largest collections of steam and vintage equipment in the world. There will also be displays of monster trucks, vintage cars, heavy horses, falconry, sheep and gun dogs.

Country crafts are well represented with thatchers, cider makers and memorabilia collections and there are over 500 trade stands providing an endless variety of goods.

Face painting, Punch and Judy shows, go-karts and inflatables can keep the children entertained and there’s Can-Can dancers, stunt bikers and a modern fairground to entertain the rest of the crowds.

The fair also has its own music festival, which runs across six stages and offers a mix of tribute acts and original bands with a variety of music genres on offer from party bands, to folk, to country and western to rock bands.

The car parks open at 7am with the gates opening at 8am and tickets cost £20 a day for an adult, £6 for children (aged six to 15) and under sixes are free.

For more information go to gdsf.co.uk.