THE Great Dorset Steam Fair is underway.

The fair, which has been running for almost 50 years, routinely attracts 200,000 visitors every year.

Traditionally held in the first weekend of September, it has now been moved to the bank holiday weekend to avoid clashes with other events and the start of the school term.

With the showground covering more than 600 acres, the fair is one of the largest outdoor events in Europe.

This year, a special display on the Battle of the Somme will take place.

An exhibition marking the centenary of the First World War has been a part of the fair since 2014, but new exhibits will be added to commemorate 100 years since one of the bloodiest battles in human history.

Managing director Martin Oliver said: “We hope in a small way to show the young people of today the utter futility of war when thousands of young men die in an attempt to gain a few yards of ground.

“The regiments and battalions of young soldiers who walked fearlessly into the barrages of machine gun fire on that awful day to be mown down in their thousands must never be forgotten and our aim this year is to enhance their memory.

“The trenches on show this year, which people can walk through and experience something of the horror of those fateful days, were built for the 2014 Steam Fair but have been greatly enhanced for this year’s special event.”

The fair will be held at the Tarrant Hinton showground near Blandford Forum, and runs from Thursday, August 25 until Monday, August 29.

For more information or for tickets visit gdsf.co.uk.

* The Steam Plough Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary at this year’s fair.

To commemorate the occasion, a special display of ploughing engines and equipment will be on show to the general public.

The exhibit, in collaboration with the National Traction Engine Trust, will bring to life the history of steam ploughing and demonstrate the historical impact of British agricultural engineering worldwide.

A model ploughing engine from Holland will be one of the variety of engines on display, and ploughing demonstrations will take place on the hill.

The club was founded in 1966 by Harold Bonnett and currently has more than 400 members worldwide.