THE golden age of steam was combined with a display of military might at a North-East visitor attraction at the weekend.

Volunteer steam enthusiasts who run Tanfield Railway, a revived stretch of line spanning the County Durham boundary with Gateshead, welcomed military vehicle owners, many in period costume, from across the North-East.

Tanfield Railway's Military Weekend featured Jeeps, Land Rovers, Army trucks and lorries spanning 20th Century conflicts.

They formed a small military encampment, complete with field kitchen, near the railway attraction entrance, at Andrew's House Station, between Stanley and Sunniside.

Visitors could then take a steam ride through north-west Durham countryside, including Causey Woods, on the four-station loop of the restored line.

Pulling the trains were the Number 49, a steam engine that previously operated at Backworth Colliery, in the Northumberland coalfield, and Stagshaw, which formerly worked at Brancepeth Colliery, in County Durham.

Tanfield Railway is expecting a busy bank holiday weekend.

The line, cafe and engine sheds will be open from 11am to about 4.30pm on Sunday and Monday.