A STEAM locomotive that first graced the roads of Market Lavington in 1900 came home on Sunday to hold court on the second day of the village's Vintage Meet.

A day earlier Lord Roberts had been down the road in West Lavington for the neighbouring villages's fair. It received an excited welcome at both events.

Colin Osborne chairman of Market Lavington Parish Council said: "This was a historic visit of particular importance to the village and were delighted to welcome Lord Roberts back home after so many years."

Lord Roberts is a John Fowler B5 steam road locomotive number 8903 which was built in 1900 and was delivered to Holloway Bros of Market Lavington Brick and Tile Works on December 31 of that year. It is capable of pulling up to 90 tons and worked on many haulage tasks in and around the country for about 35 years.

The steam engine is now owned by Stephen Cotton who researched its roots and was keen to bring it back to the Lavingtons for what is believed to be the first time.

The villages made the most of visit by staging a number of photoshoots including at the old brickwork site in Broadway, Market Lavington.

But there were plenty of other exhibits that also caught the eye on Saturday and Sunday and helped raise cash for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and local projects.

Hundreds of people flocked to the Elisha Field for a day of family fun which included a huge range of stationary engines, vintage miniature steam engines, vintage and classic motorcycles, vintage and classic cars, military vehicles and vintage and classic commercial vehicles.

For those who wanted a bit of action there was re-enactment displays and living history exhibitions.

On the Saturday there was a football contest, keep fit and barrel rolling to keep the crowd entertained while on Sunday there was a tug of war competition and a performance by the Wiltshire ACF Corps of Drums.