POLICE patrols, temporary speed limits, and round-the-clock security at a camp-site for travellers are being promised to villagers in the Tarrant Valley.

But people living in the North Dorset beauty spot are bracing themselves for the start of the Great Dorset Steam Fair on August 29.

More than 200,000 people are expected at the steam rally site near Tarrant Hinton for a four-day festival of live music, a funfair, and more than 1,000 display vehicles.

Tarrant Monkton people lost a battle in April against continued use of a field near their village to house travellers visiting the Steam Fair. Now, with the travellers expected to arrive in the village next week, parish councillor, Kate Graeme-Cook, has questioned measures put in place by councils and police for concerned residents.

A "reassurance operation" is being planned by Dorset Police with daily patrols, and a use of the force's commu-nity support vehicle.

Cllr Graeme-Cook welcomed the initiative, but questioned the duration and timing of the patrols with travellers expected up to 10 days in advance of the festival.

"Last year the travellers' site opened up about eight days before the steam fair. That's when we had the problems. We haven't yet heard when the patrols will start," said the Tarrant Monkton councillor.

A 30mph speed limit will be imposed on a section of the A354 between Collingwood Corner and Tarrant Hinton and at the entrance to the temporary travellers site. But Cllr Graeme-Cook said that the volume of traffic during the festival, and in the build up to it, made speeding impossible.

A spokesman for North Dorset council said the site had worked effectively in previous years.