A REPLICA World War One tank built by TV presenter Guy Martin will feature in this year's Great Dorset Steam Fair.

The 28-tonne Mark IV tank, called Deborah II, will be accompanied at the steam fair's World War One centenary display by a full crew from the Norfolk Tank Museum.

Motorcyclist and mechanic Guy Martin, who has notched up 17 podium finishes at the Isle of Man TT road race, spent five months working with the Norfolk team to help create the 26ft long replica from scratch.

The inspiration behind the project, televised for a Channel 4 documentary, was to mark a century since the first successful use of the original Mk IV Deborah tank, which was knocked out of action at The Battle of Cambrai in 1917 and discovered buried on the battlefield more than eight decades later by a local historian.

Norfolk Tank Museum chairman Stephen Machaye, project lead for the build, said: "Deborah II is a breathtaking 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."

Around a quarter of a million visitors are expected to attend this year's Great Dorset Steam Fair, which takes place over five days at Tarrant Hinton, near Blandford.

Organisers of the event, which celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary this year, are also hoping to set a new world record for the largest gathering of steam engines on the planet.

A special '500 at 50' attraction is being held to mark the steam fair's half century.

Fair managing director Martin Oliver said: "We are so excited to be celebrating 50 years and the ‘500 at 50’ display will be a sight to behold.

"This will be the largest gathering of steam engines yet and I love the idea that a container ship of steam engines will be making its way across the Atlantic to get to us."

The Great Dorset Steam Fair takes place August 23-27.

Visit gdsf.co.uk for further information.