Thousands of visitors took a look at life in the slow lane when Castle Combe race circuit played host to a two-day steam and vintage rally.

Instead of cars hurtling around the Wiltshire track at speeds of up to 160mph, steam vehicles travelling at walking speed became the main attraction.

Ambling steam engines set the pace at four miles an hour with vehicles from a bygone era crowding the paddock and rows of vintage cars and motorcycles parked alongside the famous race track.

Organisers of the Castle Combe Steam and Vintage Rally said they were delighted with the turnout for this year's event, now in its 20th year.

The rally overflowed from the pits and paddock into the car park to cope with the increasing number of entries and exhibits.

Dennis Marsh, chairman of the Castle Combe Steam and vintage Rally Committee, said: "We had so much interest in our show that we had to close entries weeks ago. We have had to redesign our show layout to accommodate the entries.

"I think these events are so popular as the older people can remember the vehicles from their younger days and the younger folk have never seen some of these old exhibits working."

Among the entries were Calne brothers Darren and Andrew Hyde with their Dodge fire engine.

"This is the engine our father John used to turn out with when he served on the Calne fire brigade so when we saw it for sale we just had to have it."

The brothers have been busy renovating the Dodge K series engine and are planning to take it to other vintage and steam shows.

But the biggest draw at the event were the old steam engines, the biggest display of steam since the show started all those years ago, all painstakingly restored to showroom condition by their owners who paraded them around the ring on both days.

It was all show and shine for one young steam enthusiast.

Sam Goddard, 14, was busy polishing the brasswork on a Showmans steam engine.

Sam, from Bromham, is following in his grandfather's footsteps and was preparing the 1914 Garrett Showmans engine for the show.

He said: "My grandfather Norman Goddard owns this engine and I just love coming to these events and helping."

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance, which will benefit from the proceeds of the event, dropped in after breaking off from return flights to land at the event.

A total of £17,000 over the last few years has been raised for the appeal through the steam rally.

Vice chairman, Keith Day said: "We were amazed at the interest shown in the Air Ambulance. People just flocked round to take a close look at it."

Mr Marsh added: "Over the last 20 years many charities have benefited but none more so than the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, which has been the main benefactor for the past five years.

"We have just purchased a computer with a large screen for the training of air crews and medical equipment, flying suits and helmets have been purchased in the past."