Visitors all steamed up at Strumpshaw

For people past a certain age it evoked nostalgic childhood memories while for the young it provided a colourful glimpse into a bygone era.The sight, smell and sound of steam made an intoxicating mix for all the visitors to Strumpshaw Park, near Norwich, over the weekend.

For people past a certain age it evoked nostalgic childhood memories while for the young it provided a colourful glimpse into a bygone era.

The sight, smell and sound of steam made an intoxicating mix for all the visitors to Strumpshaw Park, near Norwich, over the weekend.

Continuing a celebration of Britain's industrial and agricultural past started three decades ago by the Key family on their estate, hundreds of exhibitors from all parts of the country brought their gleaming pride and joys to the Strumpshaw steam rally.

Buoyed by the warm sunshine, organisers were expecting up to 12,000 visitors to have attended by the time the rally ended yesterday.

Alongside more than 50 traction engines and an unusual 100-year-old steam fire engine were nearly 90 miniature steam engines, many painstakingly built over many years by their loving owners.

The display also included stationary engines, once used to power machinery, vintage cars and tractors, and steam-driven fairground rides including a spectacular carousel.

As families wandered round the estate, they were able to marvel as the engines were brought back to noisy life and put through their paces.