IT'S full steam ahead at Tarrant Hinton today (Sept 1) as the county's biggest crowd-puller gets under way.

Now in its 36th year, the Great Dorset Steam Fair is expected to top the 250,000 mark in terms of visitors on its 600-acre site.

Three hundred working steam engines will be shown off proudly, plus 100 fairground organs and hundreds of other exhibits, including fairground rides powered by steam.

Police have issued warnings to motorists to avoid the A354, the A350 and Blandford town centre wherever possible until Sunday.

First published: Sept 1