MORE than 200,000 visitors are expected to descend on this year's Great Dorset Steam Fair, which gets underway in just seven days time.

Taking place at Tarrant Hinton near Blandford over the August bank holiday weekend, the show, now in its 51st year, is among the largest of its kind in the world.

The showground is more than 600 acres, with more than 1,000 trade stands and 2,000 exhibitors.

Among the attractions for 2019 include steam exhibitions, World War One and World War Two commemorations, stunt displays, heavy horse displays, live music and a fairground.

A Great Dorset Steam Fair spokesman said: "The show has something for everyone, whatever your interests.

"Maybe you are a collector, a steam fanatic, an exhibitor, a heavy horse fan, an avid camper, a music fan or just on holiday in the south of England.

"The Great Dorset Steam Fair is a typically British event offering a unique blend of nostalgia and entertainment.

"Come and soak up the special festival atmosphere whether as a day visitor or taking in the full five days by camping on site.

"There is no other event like it anywhere in the world which is why over 200,000 visitors attend each year both from the UK and from all over the world."

The event is so large that more then two miles of water piping and ten miles of electric cabling is put in place before the opening day.

Thirty large generators are hired each year, with just one of them powerful enough to supply electricity to a small village.

The spokesman said: "From small beginnings this annual event has become one of the favoured places for those interested in how people lived, worked and played in bygone years.

"You can stand amazed at the variety of exhibitions and the sheer scale of the show means that there is always something new to see.

"For the first-time visitor seeing the Great Dorset Steam Fair can be quite an awe inspiring and impressive sight, a sea of marquees and attractions that can take your breath for a moment."