RAIN may be less than welcome but it does little to dampen the spirits of ardent vintage transport enthusiasts.

Despite the frequent downpours the crowds flocked to the Tavistock Steam Fair on Sunday to enjoy an entertaining and enlightening variety of entries.

The event was put on by the organising committee of the Robey Trust, and spokesperson John Hobbs said: 'It went very well indeed.'

'We had slightly fewer people than last year but as soon as the rain stopped after lunch they all came along and enjoyed the trips on the engines and the lorries,' he said.

In all eight 'steamers' were trundling about the town — two steam rollers, five traction engines and one steam lorry. There were also about 20 vintage tractors each doing a couple of circuits around the town.

The fair attracted a total of 70 cars of all makes and ages as well as an impressive array of motorbikes.

Now in its 12th year the Tavistock Steam Fair is growing from strength to strength. This year there were more than 40 displays in the collection of collections which takes place in the pannier market. Items ranged from military badges to cribbage boards.

'It was a superb collection of collections,' said John Hobbs.

'It is interesting because of the variety on display. There was a man showing toasting forks.

'He first came to the fair some seven years ago with a collection of blowlamps. But he sold them because someone was very keen to buy them — and he then started collecting toasting forks,' he said.

'Collections help preserve our heritage. Younger people do not remember some of these things. How many people sit in front of a fire and toast bread? Not many. Most people don't even have open fires these days . . .'

John felt that every collection made a contribution to our social and economic history because they are tangible reminders and records of our collective past.

There was a collection of nutcrackers which expanded by one when fellow collectors Bob and Nicki Brereton presented the owner with another addition to the display.

Outside traction engines steamed and chugged about and blew their whistles as they celebrated a transport era long gone.

This year there were two vintage celebrities that had been low-loaded in from quite a distance to take part in the celebrations — one from Farnham and one from Ringwood in Hampshire.

Making amends for a slight steering misjudgment last year when his Burrell steam roller knocked part of the vicar's wall down owner John Wakeham took the Prebendary John Rawlings and his wife for a ride around the town.

'The steam fair is now so successful that we have to contain it slightly because of the size of the town centre,' said John Hobbs.

'What we are known for is the friendliness of the event amongst the exhibitors and their relationship with the visitors. It is a mutual thing and it certainly works. People enjoy coming to the steam fair.'

John said if the event grew any further in size they would have to see what chances there were of taking in some more roads!

'One thing is certain, we do not want to take the event away from the centre of Tavistock because you have such a splendid backdrop of the buildings in the square.'

He praised the splendid help received from the Tavistock ATC who worked throughout the day as loaders, unloaders and guards on the trips.

He also thanked the invaluable assistance from the police and fire service who stood by in case any flying sparks from the traction engines and steam lorry caused a problem.