Steam engine begins epic journey to Dorset fair

The journey of nearly 200 miles from Cornwall to Dorset will be physically demanding, with 80 bags of coal being hand-shovelled to keep the engine on the move

A Cornish fish merchant with a passion for steam has set off on a 189-mile (304km) trip from Cornwall to Dorset.

Rob Wing is driving his 104-year-old steam road locomotive "Clinker" to the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

The 60-year-old, from Philleigh, near St Mawes on the Roseland Peninsula, expects to use 80 bags of coal and 3,080 gallons (14,000 litres) of water on the two-and-a-half day journey.

His aim is to raise about £10,000 for Cancer Research.

Mr Wing will be joined on the Burrell 3257 locomotive by his 19-year-old son Jack, plus cancer survivor Jon Eastman and his wife Sam.

Mr Eastman, also from Cornwall, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2008 and says this is his way of being able to "to give something back," with more than £4,000 already pledged.

Mr Wing describes the Burrell 3257 locomotive as "an Edwardian powerhouse"

Mr Wing told BBC News: "Most enthusiasts will drive a steam road locomotive for between five and 20 miles, but we're aiming at nearly 200 miles.

"Each of the 80 or so bags of coal weighs 25kg and it will all have to be hand-shovelled to keep Clinker going."