STEAM enthusiasts from all over the North are converging on the region for one of the biggest events of its kind.

The annual steam engine rally at Pickering, North Yorkshire, is now under way and will continue throughout the weekend.

More than 1,200 vehicles of all shapes and sizes were on display as the event began and thousands of visitors descended on the showfield.

"We're expecting even more on Saturday and Sunday," said organiser Simon Boak yesterday. We've got about 90 steam engines, 300 vintage tractors and about 800 cars, commercial vehicles and motorbikes, and more are on the way.

"We've had to rent an extra 70 acres of land from a local farmer to fit everyone in. It's bigger than anything I've ever seen before."