Pictures: Heatwave sees 'busiest ever' Hunton Steam Gathering

Aided by the hot weather, Saturday was the busiest ever day for the event, held in Hunton, between Bedale and Leyburn.

As well as the huge variety of vehicles on show, there were live bands playing alongside showman's engines whilst they were maintained in steam on both nights.

There were a pair of Fowler steam ploughing engines working all weekend, demonstrating how steam power revolutionised the agricultural industry. On Sunday, these were ploughing alongside a record number of entrants for the vintage tractor ploughing competition.

Steam showman's engine "Dreadnought" attended the event for the first time, specially situated to generate power to operate a fair organ.

Showman's engine "Perseverance The Second" continued to support the event and was situated alongside Howards original steam gallopers and the vintage big wheel. A further 26 full-size steam engines were on show, creating one of the best avenues of steam engines in the event's history.

On the Saturday evening, a number of steam engines travelled down to the Countryman's Inn where the event was started in 1985. Earlier in the day, a vintage tractor run left the field, followed by a classic Land Rover run.

The Sunday morning saw a number of vintage commercial vehicles travel to Richmond Market Place for a coffee stop before returning.

A spokesman for the event added: "We had a bumper number of trade stalls and the craft and food marquee was bursting at its seams. In true tradition, the produce show was held on the Sunday and offered the opportunity for a number of local people to showcase their culinary, green fingered and crafty skills.

"We were supported yet again by a great friend of the event, world famous stunt driver Russ Swift, who had a break in his busy work schedule to spend both days at the show parking classic cars, setting up and running an autotest competition in the main arena. ECON Engineering were also present at the event with a great display of their heritage fleet and continue to sponsor us."

The show supported a number of local charities and groups, including Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Guide Dogs, Bedale Scouts, Hauxwell Church, Wensleydale Railway, and Tees Cottage Pumping Station.

"The success of the event wouldn't be possible without the support of exhibitors, traders and visitors to whom the committee would like to say a big thank you to," added the spokesman. "A special mention needs to be made to the army of over 60 volunteers that support the voluntary organising committee to ensure the event is staged efficiently. The event wouldn't be possible without them."