A POIGNANT tribute was made to Portland Steam and Vintage Show enthusiast Ian Norris when his two young sons and fiancée presented a special trophy in his memory.

This year’s show was dedicated to Mr Norris, 39, in recognition of his ‘tireless work’ over the years as an exhibitor and camping steward.

His sons Matthew Norris, 13, Alex Stainforth, aged one, and partner Nikki Stainforth presented the inaugural trophy to welder Lee Brown for the Best Land Rover in Show.

The special accolade, made from the piston from Mr Norris’s treasured Land Rover Daisy will be an annual fixture at the show across the categories at Southwell Business Park.

Ms Stainforth and Alex wore T-shirts saying One Life, Live It with a Land Rover picture – Mr Norris’s favourite logo.

Ms Stainforth, of Fortuneswell, said: “It’s hit me harder than I thought it would, being at the show.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to do this in his memory, we can’t thank Mick and Joan Mulley and everyone enough for all their support.”

The young father passed away suddenly from a heart attack in March this year.

His mum Janet, sister Lindsay and brothers David and Richard also attended the show.

Organiser Mr Mulley said Mr Norris had been ‘greatly missed’.

They were among hundreds of people transported to another era at the 12th annual show.

Steam engines from as early as 1901, lovingly restored by their present owners, ranged from those used for industrial, agricultural and military use to the colourful fairground organs.

Vehicles included a 1933 Morris Austin, a Morris Sports Kit car built by a Weymouth man, caravans, wartime and post-war military and commercial vehicles.

The ‘kings of the road’ as far as numbers were concerned were the 147 motorbikes on display.

Old telegraph and power insulators, models of fire engines, fairground memorabilia, Corgi and Dinky miniatures, old tools, milk bottles and dairy bygones, horse-drawn gypsy caravans and a free-scale showman’s traction engine transported many to a forgotten past.

Children were catered for with present-day fairground rides and for those who wanted modern transport there were helicopter flights to view the Jurassic Coast.

There were charity stalls and arena entertainment with the Nothe Fort Military and Portsmouth Wild West Association displays, Port-land Second Edition Major-ettes, a dog agility display and a road run around Tophill.

Mr Mulley said: “We are always delighted by the response and enthusiasm of the public.

“We’re very grateful to our sponsors, particularly the new owners of Southwell Business Park, Compass Points Estates LLP, whose generosity is largely responsible for the success of the show.”