FAMILIES turned out in force at the weekend for events in two north Wiltshire villages.

Hundreds of steam enthusiasts converged on Castle Combe for a steam and vintage vehicle weekend, while in Sherston it was farming frolics that caught the imagination.

The 17th Castle Combe Steam Rally attracts people from across the South West and out for the first time with a scale model of the Royal Chester was Colin Hill from Pewsey.

Mr Hill, 55, of Wilcot Road, has been attending steam rallies for over 20 years. Last year, he bought a scale model of the last steam engine built by Allchin and gave it its first public showing in many years at Castle Combe.

"The model was built in 1974 for Sir Bill McAlpine and it was in his museum for many years. I bought it last year from someone in Cirencester so this rally is the first public appearance for a number of years. It certainly attracted lots of attention and one of the good things about it is that because it is a model children can see it working," said Mr Hill.

Mr Hill, his wife Mary Lyn, 47, son Martin, 24, and daughter Krystina, 19, also own a 1914 Mary Weather steam fire pump in full working order and the family travels to about ten rallies taking place everywhere from Bedfordshire to the New Forest each year.

"It is a real family thing. Martin went to his first rally when he was two and Krystina was just a bump. Castle Combe is good because it is local and there is a good atmosphere there," said Mr Hill.

John Summer, of Bremhill, took along a mighty vintage vehicle in the shape of a tractor puller. The great machine, which he built over three years, is powered by two 39-litre V12 Russian diesel engines.

It also attracted a lot of attention at Castle Combe.

"This is my first visit to Castle Combe. Because last year foot and mouth killed everything off I couldn't get the tractor puller out, so I will try to do quite a few this year," said Mr Summer, a director of Brown Excavations.

Mr Summer will be showing his tractor puller at Heddington and Stockley Steam Fair and it will be in full action on June 23 at a steam rally in Wales.

The effects of foot and mouth were still evident, though, and new regulations meant local farmer Richard Alvis could not use sheep for his sheepdog work. Instead he had to round up children and ducks.

"I think sheep would definitely have easier to handle, but he did manage and everyone enjoyed watching his skills put to a real test," said Dennis Marsh, chairman of the Castle Combe Steam Rally committee of six.

Other attractions included Ken Fox's Wall of Death, the Solent Children's Motorcycle Display team and the Adams Axemen.

"It was a terrific weekend and there were a lot more entries than usual. The event has certainly come a long way because when it first started it was about half the size it is now we could even do with some more room," said Mr Marsh.

This year's proceeds, expected to top £5,000, will be donated to Wiltshire Air Ambulance and other charities local to Castle Combe.

Preparations are already in hand for next year's event.

Meanwhile near Sherston, the Young Farmers' Rally took place on Sunday at Lordswood Farm.

The senior cup for the over 16s was won by Malmesbury for the ninth competition running. They beat off stiff competition from Chippenham, who fell just 146 points behind.

Melksham Young Farmers won the junior contest, scooping The Poultry Farmers' Cup.

But the overall competition, combining adult and junior results, was won by Malmesbury, who retain the overall title, the prestigious Spillars Challenge Shield.

Organiser Sally Robinson said good weather, coupled with a bumper crowd, made Sunday's rally an extra special day, after last year's event was cancelled due to foot and mouth.

"It was brilliant because the weather held off and everything that was supposed to go on outside could go on," said Mrs Robinson.

One of the highlights of the day was a close-fought battle in the tug of war between Malmesbury and Chippenham.

"It was very competitive, with plenty of shouting," said Mrs Robinson.

Other activities included puncture repairing, tractor repairs and dog handling. Mrs Robinson also thanked to activities' steward Margaret Bell, of Derry Hill, who stepped in at the last minute to help with the event.