ORGANISERS of the 26th Much Marcle Steam Rally are hailing it as a great success, and they are already looking forward with excitement to next year.

The event took place on July 18 and the following day, at the Rye Meadows venue, and it attracted hundreds of visitors from all over the UK.

Steam rally spokesperson, Christine Pates said: "The weekend was blessed with beautiful weather showing off the magnificent display of exhibits, a huge section of engines ranging from miniature to showmans' engines , cars, commercials, tractors, tractor pulling, motorcycles, stationary engines, the working area plus live entertainment all weekend on the stage.

"We even had a lorry celebrating its 100th birthday. Thank you to all our exhibitor traders, suppliers and helpers; we forward to seeing them again next year, which will be July 23 and July 24, 2016.

Auctioneers, HJ Pugh and Co also had cause to praise the steam rally, where an auction was held.

A spokesman for the business said: "We had the exciting prospect of over 1000 lots booked in and catalogued. The weather did not hold us back this year with beautiful sunshine all day attracting people from all over the country.

"Two sale rings were needed this year due to the increased amount of entries. The trade in the marquee was particularly good with the enamel signs; everybody was very interested in them and most of them fetched prices way over the reserves. Two signs that were particularly impressive were the Associated Motorc enamel sign which made £280 and the other was the BP enamel sign which made £300. There was also a collection of tractor spares in the marquee which also fetched impressive prices. One of which was a Lucas tractor magneto which made £320. "

The spokesman added: "The second ring started with over 300 lots of tools and garden equipment. The auctioneers flew through these lots with many of them making very strong prices which included two lots of garden saddle stones making £250 per lot. Next were the stationary engines. A Fairbanks & Morse open crank engine made £650 and a Petter diesel engine made £190. Others all sold making strong prices.

"Finally to be sold were the tractors and vehicles. A 1939 Allis Chalmers made £1300, then a 1965 Renault super 5D Tractor made £1350, the Fordson major crawler made a very strong price of £3600 and the Fordson power major tractor made £1200. Then to be sold was the Massey Ferguson 35 which made a pleasing £1650 and a Fordson super major made £2000. "

Because of the large amount of lots, Pughs plans to have a larger sale area at the rally, next year.