Excitement is hotting up for the Great Dorset Steam Fair - which this year is set to feature a very special tank.

A 28-tonne Mark IV First World War tank, built by motor cycle racer turned television presenter Guy Martin, will be attending for visitors to see it first hand, and learn about the history and construction of the vehicle.

This year, the Great Dorset Steam Fair celebrates its 50th anniversary, as well as marking 100 years since the end of the First World War.

The tank, called Deborah II, took five months to build. Mr Martin spent five months working with Norfolk Tank Museum, JCB, and Chasestead, to create the 26ft long by 10ft wide replica from scratch, which was documented in a Channel 4 programme ‘Guy Martin's WWI Tank’ late last year.

The inspiration behind the project was to commemorate 100 years since the first successful use of the original Mk IV Deborah tank that was knocked out of action at The Battle of Cambrai in 1917 and discovered buried on the battlefield in 1998 by a local historian.

In November 2017 Deborah II paid a fitting tribute to the brave men of the British Army that lost their lives when Guy drove her in a moving re-enactment of the first battle starting at the same spot she was discovered.

They used a petrol engine and a mechanical gearbox with chains to the final drives to recreate the original sounds and smells that would give a real feel for the enclosed space within the tank. Given this mechanical and true-to-the-original set-up, it takes three people to drive it: a commander who controls the clutch, brake and accelerator; a driver who steers the vehicle; and a gears-man.

Norfolk Tank Museum Chairman Stephen Machaye, project manager for the build, said: “Deborah II is a breath-taking tank and the world deserves to see her. It was only right that she should involved in this one-of-a-kind display of World War One history at the Great Dorset Steam Fair to mark the Centenary, which is something that should be of significance to us all. We look forward to introducing her to visitors and getting immersed in the past alongside other exhibitors.”

Deborah II will be transported from Norfolk Tank Museum to the Great Dorset Steam Fair side at Tarrant Hinton, near Blandford, on a low loader hauled by Cadman’s.

A Mecca for steam enthusiasts, the Great Dorset Steam Fair is the world’s largest heritage and cultural event showcasing Britain’s national industrial, agricultural and leisure history. Visitors from all over the world make their way to Dorset every year to soak up the unique festival atmosphere, as well as many local families and groups.

The Great Dorset Steam Fair will take place in Tarrant Hinton from August 23 to 27, and organisers are expecting a record-breaking event with around 250,000 visitors expected over the bank holiday weekend.

For more information and to order tickets, please visit www.gdsf.co.uk