A POPULAR steam rally will not be held at its usual venue this year due to re-development works at a North Yorkshire showground.

The annual Pickering Steam Rally would be in its 64th year and has attracted thousands of steam and traction engine enthusiasts each year since its inception.

It has been held at Pickering Showground in Malton Road but this year due to scheduled works at the venue, it will not go ahead.

The event has been hailed a true celebration of all things steam related, including a vintage inspired steam fairground, steam engine displays, miniature steam engines, a steam railway, and a multitude of historic and modern steam-powered vehicles.

Alongside the steam, visitors can also expect vintage motorbikes and car displays, tractors, stage shows, music and entertainment, as well as an extensive collectibles market.

Last year, original show organisers and former business partners Cedric Lawson and Simon Boak went their separate ways following a fall-out – creating two different events over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Both have set up websites proclaiming to be the organisers of the “official” Pickering Traction Engine Rally.

But whereas Mr Lawson, the boss of The Events Organiser Ltd, held his rally at Pickering Showground, Mr Boak opted to hold his event at Allerton Park, Knaresborough.

The event at Allerton Park, The Great Yorkshire Steam Fair, will go ahead on July 23 and 24; and the same company is also organising the Whitby Traction Engine Rally on August 5 to 7.

North Yorkshire County Councillor John Clark, leader of the council's liberal group, said it will be a "huge loss to Pickering."

He added: "The showground is having work done this year so the event can't go ahead. It will be a massive loss to the tourism industry in the town as it normally lasts a week."

The alternative event at Allerton Park will include a classic car show with early 1900s vehicles, up to post war and modern classic cars.

There will also be traditional fairground locomotives, heavy haulage steam vehicles, steam rollers and ploughing engines.

The Pickering Showground has benefitted from major investment since new owners took over in 2012, and have confirmed that development works have prevented the steam rally from going ahead this year.

Organisers of both Pickering Steam Rally events were contacted for comment.