THE ‘most explosive’ weekend of the year is set to place in Dorset this month.

Two action-packed days of steel, firepower and explosions and some of the toughest vehicles on the planet will be bursting into life at The Tank Museum in Bovington for the return of Tankfest.

The full-to-bursting schedule for Tankfest 2011, which runs on June 25 and 26, features a host of military displays covering every era of armoured vehicle combat from a Second World War mock battle with rare examples of Allied and Axis vehicles, to a modern combat demonstration showing how the Royal Armoured Corps fights in the 21st Century.

As well as thunderous roars coming from the outdoor arena, there will also be a hive of activity in and around the museum itself.

A 1940s housewife will show off the ‘make do and mend’ approach to housework; private collectors will showcase some of the rarest examples of armoured vehicles in the world; and living history encampments will give an entertaining insight into military life of the past.

The Armed Forces Day event will also be attended by serving members of The Royal Armoured Corps who will be on hand to talk to visitors about their role in the services and the armoured vehicles they use.

Marketing and communications manager Nik Wyness said: “Every year the whole team looks forward to Tankfest and this year is no exception, the excitement around the museum is already starting to build.

“Last year around 10,000 people visited over the course of the weekend but now we’ve made the events even bigger and louder for Tankfest 2011, we’re expecting even more visitors this year.

“There’s so much going on, we know all our visitors are going to enjoy it.”

Tickets for Tankfest are available by calling 01929 462359 – adults £18, concessions £13. Discounts are available if booked before June 17.