CHURNING out silver-grey clouds these veterans of the steam engine world conjure up nostalgic images.

Thousands of nostalgia seekers have been flocking to Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show to drink in the memories and atmosphere of a bygone industrial age.

Today at the showground at Meadow Mead Farm, on Ringwood Road, an army of enthusiasts continue to polish and tinker away.

It is the 31st Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show.

Since 1971 it has provided an annual taster for the New Forest Show, which starts next week.

Across the site crowds gathered round the 30 heavyweight steam engines as their boiler-suited crews stoked the coal fires of these enormous iron and steel machines.

Weighing many tons and gleaming with brass and colourful paint jobs, they still have a capacity to thrill and fascinate.

As well as the steam engines the estimated 30,000 visitors to the three-day show, which began yesterday can feast on a variety of traditional engines.

More than 200 vintage British motorcycles lined-up in one corner of the site, along with 100 vintage cars, farm equipment from decades ago, old military vehicles, fire engines and an original steam-powered lorry.

Entertainment was provided by a team of falconers, the circus-style Dominion Skating Act, a dog agility display team and a collection of draught horses.

The BBC's favourite steeplejack Fred Dibnah, who is also passionate about steam engines, was at the show having travelled from his Lancashire home, and chatted to visitors and displayed his own steam engine.

Other attractions included the Bob the Builder show, music bands, and the Joint Services Parachute team.

In the craft area 80 stands offer a vast range of goods and in the model tent a variety of traditional, futuristic and matchstick models are on display.

Show secretary Tony Greenham has been involved with the event for 21 years.

He said: "I think we have maintained a good standard of show this year and have given good entertainment to the public.

"This year there are many more entertainers and a lot more things for people to see at the steam rally.

"The nostalgia that the event provides keeps bringing people back each year.

"What we are seeing are the machines of years gone by and they are the vehicles that everyone's granddads would have driven."

Exhibitors and steam fans came from all over the country to take part in the event.

More than 500 people are camping at the show for the whole weekend.

But there is also a great deal of local interest.

Nick Field brought his steam engine across from his home at Ower, near Romsey.

Nick, 40, explained the fascination with the machines: "I have always been interested in them and my dad took me to a rally when I was a little boy.

"From then on it was always an ambition of mine to have one and that was realised in 1990. It keeps me out of trouble.

"I suppose people still like them as you don't see them about very much, they are very different and they have got a lot of character that modern machines lack."

The Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show runs today and tomorrow.