VINTAGE vehicles of all kinds will be on show at Rail 2000's Millennium Cavalcade of Steam in August.

Cars, buses, commercial vehicles and much more will offer something for visitors to the event who don't have a particular interest in trains.

Motor caravans, and vintage motorcycles and fire engines will also be among the items being brought to the cavalcade's four sites from around the country.

The oldest engine booked to take part is a Blackstone Stationary Steamer NHP2, which is more than 150 years old, and owned by Henry I'Anson, of West Auckland, County Durham.

This steamer once drove a Blackstone Cornmill at Newfield, near Bishop Auckland, and was bought by Mr I'Anson's father, Harry, to drive machinery in a fitting shop in South Church, Bishop Auckland, until 1946.

Mr I'Anson said he did not know exactly how old the engine was, but added: "It was one of the first."

In the 1960s, he rallied the retired engine at shows, and is looking forward to doing so again at the Rail 2000 sites in Darlington, Whessoe, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon.

Mr I'Anson is also taking a 1910 Burrell Showman's Engine, named Country Girl, and a Clayton and Shuttleworth Road Roller, Jubilee, which was built in 1924, to the cavalcade.

l To help celebrate the event, which runs from August 26 to 28, The Northern Echo has produced a 48-page limited edition souvenir brochure. This covers the history of the cavalcades in 1925 and 1975 and, along with other merchandise, is available from the region's own on-line shopping mall at www.shoppersworld.co.uk/ne