WITH a 500-acre site, 220 traction engines, 200 tonnes of coal and 500 toilets not to mention thousands of cans of Brasso- everything about the Great Dorset Steam Fair is huge.

The annual steam extravaganza at Tarrant Hinton near Blandford roared into life for the start of a five-day long celebration of yesteryear.

Crowds, which are expected to top 250,000 by the end of the week, were flocking through the gates from first thing yesterday morning keen to soak up the atmosphere in warm sunshine.

The fair is many events rolled into one include trade market selling everything from antiques to novelty socks, music festival boasting dozens of bands and of course a showcase of showman engines, fairground organs and vintage machinery with plenty of last minute polishing and stoking of engines.

But this year visitors can expect to see the return of steam-powered yachts, the largest fairground concert organ in the world and even Sir Stirling Moss on Saturday.

Enjoying a family day out were Alan and Alison Carr with six-year-old Eleanor, from Yeovil.

Alison said: "We've been several times before and always enjoyed it. There are so many unusual things to see - there is nothing quite like it. It's ideal for children and now she is a bit older Eleanor enjoys it too."

By midday the sheer size of the site was dawning on some flagging visitors who made a beeline for anywhere with seating. The more ingenious used bicycles, carts and even a motorised surfboard to get around.

Steam fair director Dominic Juett said: "The site is home to around 30,000 people during the show making it one of the largest towns in Dorset this week."

He added: "I think it's so special because all the exhibits here and brought in and used as they were designed to - they don't just sit there. People like

to see working demonstrations."

Police reported few problems with traffic on the first day, praising the improved signage, but warned Friday and Saturday attracted the largest crowds.