THIS year's Chickerell Steam and Vintage Show has been hailed as the biggest and best yet.

The annual event took place over the weekend Moor Farm, Knights in the Bottom on Chickerell Hill.

Fine weather for most of the weekend brought out bumper crowds to see the wide range of steam and vintage vehicles on show as well as the wide-range of other attractions.

When crowds were faced with the odd downpour on Saturday, they soon passed again to make way for clear skies and sunny weather for the crowds to enjoy.

Organisers said that on the Sunday around 1200 cars were in the car parks with the biggest number of visitors ever coming through the turnstiles.

Show co-ordinator, Andy Spracklen, said: "It's the best show we've organised. It's been very successful.

"We've had the best selection of engines we've ever had, with 13 full-sized engines and 37 miniatures."

As well as the steam engines there was plenty more on show including vintage military vehicles, games and attractions for children and plenty of new displays.

The Dorset Axemen lumberjack display appeared for the first time and there was a Dorset food hall, another new attraction and both were very popular.

The food hall featured 13 stalls selling local produce such as cheese, seafood, beers, cider and more.

There was also cider making demonstrations and plenty of music to be enjoyed.

Three or four model boat clubs from across the West Country pulled together as well to put on a model boat regatta.

Follow co-ordinator Sam Spracklen, said that there were around 570 exhibitions at the show.

She hailed the event as a "great success" and thanked people for their amazing support.

Andy and Sam, along with fellow co-ordinators Tracey Scott and Andy Lymer, wanted to thank all the sponsors, exhibitors and traders and the volunteers.

Sam said: "Without them we just wouldn't have a show. It's all those people who pull together to put this on."

The massive event was spread over two fields this year, ensuring more entertainment for petrol heads and the whole family.

To add to the more family orientated show there was Punch and Judy Shows as well.

As always though, the steam and gears are the heart of the event, with notable engines from around the country coming to attend.

The show started life in Portland in 1998 and has seen many changes over the years, including its move to Chickerell, but organisers were happy to declare this year's the biggest yet.