STEAM is king! Thousands of people are set to chug to a Gwent park today for the Abergavenny Steam, Veteran and Vintage Rally.

The annual two-day event began yesterday, with hundreds of people flocking to Abergavenny's Bailey Park to see the many attractions. But today is due to be the bumper day.

The show - organised this year by Abergavenny Rotary Club - features 15 large steam engines, at least six steam-rollers, 219 vintage and veteran cars, 75 motorcycles and a large number of military and commercial vehicles.

The rally was officially opened yesterday morning by the chairman of Monmouthshire county council, Councillor Donald Spencer, and last year's mayor of Abergavenny, Councillor John Harvey.

The overcast weather did not deter steam-lovers from turning up in their droves to see the classic old engines which are packed into Bailey Park.

The highlights of the rally include a 1930 Standard - the only roadworthy one of its kind in the world - owned by the Brown family of Raglan, and a 1955 Mercury Tug engine exhibited by 14-year-old Joseph Willson, of Goytre.

As well as the wonderful old steam engines, there will be other attractions including local bands, both marching and rock, performing in the park, and children trying to pull an old steamer.

One of the highlights today will be a procession of engines being driven around the streets of Abergavenny, led by previous rally organiser Ivor Trotman.