Dame Vera Lynn spent two hours at Hortons Farm, venue for the rally which this year was raising money for the trust founded by the nation's favourite wartime singer.

The Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy, at Five Oaks near Billingshurst, will benefit from the several thousand pounds expected, although organisers Len Finch and Sue Moss have yet to complete their sums.

Mrs Moss said: "We could not publicise the fact that she intended to come because, after all, she is 91 and we did not know if the weather would be kind.

"But we were told that, normally, when she decides to do something, she does it. She walked round the model tent and met quite a lot of people. Then we announced over the public address system that she was here, and people went to see her and get her autograph.

"She drew the first three prizes in the raffle and left saying she had had a most interesting and enjoyable afternoon."

Thousands of people visited the rally over Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17.

Although it has 'steam' in its title, and steam machines are still its central theme, the attractions have become more diverse over the years.

The weekend programme included heavy horse and vintage tractor ploughing, a woodworking demonstration area, the Wyoming Raiders cowboy re-enactment group, market and craft stalls, sheep shearing, and arena events and parades.

In a roped-off safety area, local haulage firm Northchapel Transport challenged adults to have a go at driving one of their lorries with a 33ft trailer on the back, forwards through a chicane and then reversing it.

"Apparently that was very popular!" Mrs Moss said.

She and her husband, Julian, are the Leconfield Estate's tenants at Hortons Farm. It was Mrs Moss's seventh year of co-organising the rally with Mr Finch.

She said: "It is nice to put on a good event and know you are doing something worthwhile raising money for charity."