Thousands of steam enthusiasts are expected to flock to the annual Heddington and Stockley Steam Rally this weekend.

For the 33rd rally held at Home Farm, Heddington, organisers have tried to set themselves apart from the crowd with attractions for the whole family adding to the traditional show of vintage cars, motorbikes and steam engines.

The event will see a return of the lawn mower race with engines hurtling around a track at speeds of up to 60mph in a bid to come out in poll position.

Rally organiser Lynne Sargeant said: “This is a must see event and it is a chance to try and recognise a similar mower you use at home speed around the track.”

Those who return year after year to watch tractor pulling are in for a treat as while pulling is usually restricted to an exhibition, this year the tractors will be in competition with each other in a points pull.

Rally chairman Jeff Brown said: “This is always a huge crowd puller because of the explosive burst of power from the puller as it endeavours to pull a sledge down the full length of the track.

“This year promises to be the best year yet.”

A new attraction for the whole family will be provided by the White Horse Kite Flyers who will be putting on displays in the main arena, as well as running workshops for children to design, make and fly their own kite.

There will also be donkey rides, a bouncy castle, food stalls and a beer tent at the two-day rally.

Entry costs £7 for adults and £4 for concessions with the gates opening at 9am on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information or directions to Home Farm call (01380) 859381 or visit www.heddingtonandstockley.co.uk/steamrally.