CLEAR skies and scorching sunshine helped make this year's Welland Steam Rally the best yet.

"I reckon we must have had 55,000 people through the gate," said show chairman David Prout.

"We've been putting it on for seven or eight years and this has got to be the best yet.

"On Sunday afternoon we had to beg another field from the farmer for car parking because all the others were full."

Among the attractions were 49 classic steam traction engines - another one was expected but its owner, an eye surgeon from Dorset, could not make it because he had an important operation to perform.

There were also dozens of scale-model working traction engines together with steam- powered fairground rides and displays of military vehicles, classic cars, motorbikes, bicycles and tractors, including around 80 made by the Marshall company alone.

"They used to run all day on five gallons of diesel," said Mr Prout.

Steam-powered threshing, corn-cutting and ploughing were also popular, along with shire horses, dozens of stalls and two large marquees containing a variety of crafts.

Earlier, on Friday evening, patrons at the Swan Inn, Hanley Swan, were treated to a visit by more than 20 classic tractors from the rally, when the owners decided to take them for a road run.