AROUND 12 steam cars dating from 1902 to 1923 have been touring south Wiltshire.

Members of The Steam Car Club of Great Britain are visiting the county for its annual tour.

The four-day event has been organised by Arthur Thomson. It has included a drive through the Wylye and Chalke Valleys, visits to Salisbury Museum and the cathedral, and a trip to the Museum of Army Flying.

Mr Thomson whose family ran Churchfields Dairies in Salisbury until 1992 said: "Steam cars are so different, they're unique to drive and you just feel so majestic.

"You feel like royalty when you're up there gliding along - people are always waving as you pass by - and there's a great sense of satisfaction in getting it running again as it should."

The cars which would have run on paraffin now use a mixture of petrol and diesel.

Travelling at speeds of up to 30mph, a couple of extra stops on the trip have been planned to take on water.

Each year different members of the steam car club organise the tour with previous ones having been in Cornwall, Yorkshire and Scotland.

"This is the first time the club has come to Wiltshire," Mr Thomson said.

The Steam Car Club of Great Britain was formed more than 25 years ago and has around 300 enthusiasts.