NORTHWICH'S Lion Salt Works Museum is hosting a free Heritage Steam Festival this weekend.

On Saturday, July 24, and Sunday, July 25, between 11am and 4.30pm, the heritage museum will play host to three large steam traction engines and 13 miniature steam engines.

There will also be a selection of other vintage commercial vehicles on display.

The Steam Festival is free and is not dependent on visiting the museum.

To ensure visitors feel safe when attending the advice is to:

• Carry out and have a negative lateral flow test 24 hours prior to attending the event

• People should do a symptoms check before leaving home.

• Visitors should consider measures prior to attending, which could include using a face mask inside and some social distancing in busy areas

• Visitors are also encouraged to download and log their Covid status on the NHS app

There is no charge to visit the café, play area or butterfly garden, which is in full bloom.

Children’s activities will also be available and there will be ‘live music’ at the Salt Barge pub across the road from the museum.

For more information, visit westcheshiremuseums.co.uk or call 01606 275066.

Children will be able to ride on some of the mini traction engines at a cost of £1 per child.

These engines come courtesy of Clive Hearsay and other steam enthusiasts.

Councillor Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "This event is always a highlight of the Lion Salt Works Museum’s calendar.

"With the sounds of the engines, the smell of the smoke and the bursts of steam, the Museum is the perfect backdrop for these extraordinary steam engines.

"We are very grateful, as always to Northwich-based Clive Hearsey for co-ordinating the magnificent array of steam traction engines, most of which will be fully steamed up over the weekend.

"This is a marvellous and memorable event and I hope that as many people as possible are able to come along and enjoy it."