A gleaming traction engine will lead the funeral cortege for the founder of the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

Up to 1,000 mourners are expected in the tiny village of Child Okeford on Tuesday, December 15, to say farewell to a man described as “spellbinding” and “a legend”.

Michael Oliver MBE, 75, died peacefully in Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, on Sunday.

He founded the steam fair in 1969. This year’s four-day event attracted 200,000 people.

Mr Oliver’s son, Martin, the steam fair’s managing director, said staff had turned their talent for putting on a large public event to organising their founder’s funeral.

“It’s quite ironic,” he said. “The funeral has become like the steam fair, with road closures, a marquee, and stewards for the main roads. Dad would have loved it,” said Martin.

Shaftesbury-based Quo Vadis – the 20-tonne traction engine which appeared at the first steam fair – will lead the hearse, said Martin.

“Dad took it around different parts of the country to publicise the steam fair. It became an emblem. It was very special to him,” he said.

Mr Oliver’s favourite fairground organ – a 110-key marenghi – will be brought from Sheffield to Child Okeford for the funeral, he added.

An “overwhelming” response to his father’s death had been received by the Oliver family, said Martin. Tributes have been paid by public figures across North Dorset.

Cllr Della Jones recalled a public meeting at the Corn Exchange, Blandford, to discuss the steam fair’s presence at its former site at Stourpaine Bushes.

“You could have heard a pin drop when he stood up. It was spellbinding. He had a wonderful way with words and was a great orator,” she said.

“He was a gentleman – and a gentle man. In all the years I knew him, I never heard him swear. His passion for Dorset and the rural way of life was fantastic.”

Cllr Colin Kay, the chairman of North Dorset District Council, said Mr Oliver’s steam fair had brought a massive financial stimulus to the district.

Tributes have been left at the Daily Echo’s on-line book of condolence. Keith Bottomley wrote on behalf of the North Dorset Railway Trust: “At the Shillingstone Railway Project we have always been very grateful for the massive support and enthusiasm he has given to our trust and site.

“As a true lover of steam in all its forms he will be sorely missed and the fair will not be the same without him…Another Somerset and Dorset legend has departed.”

The funeral will be held at St Nicholas’ Church and starts at 2pm. Mourners are asked to register their attendance at gdsf.co.uk.A gleaming traction engine will lead the funeral cortege for the founder of the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

Up to 1,000 mourners are expected in the tiny village of Child Okeford on Tuesday, December 15, to say farewell to a man described as “spellbinding” and “a legend”.

Michael Oliver MBE, 75, died peacefully in Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, on Sunday.

He founded the steam fair in 1969. This year’s four-day event attracted 200,000 people.

Mr Oliver’s son, Martin, the steam fair’s managing director, said staff had turned their talent for putting on a large public event to organising their founder’s funeral.

“It’s quite ironic,” he said. “The funeral has become like the steam fair, with road closures, a marquee, and stewards for the main roads. Dad would have loved it,” said Martin.

Shaftesbury-based Quo Vadis – the 20-tonne traction engine which appeared at the first steam fair – will lead the hearse, said Martin.

“Dad took it around different parts of the country to publicise the steam fair. It became an emblem. It was very special to him,” he said.

Mr Oliver’s favourite fairground organ – a 110-key marenghi – will be brought from Sheffield to Child Okeford for the funeral, he added.

An “overwhelming” response to his father’s death had been received by the Oliver family, said Martin. Tributes have been paid by public figures across North Dorset.

Cllr Della Jones recalled a public meeting at the Corn Exchange, Blandford, to discuss the steam fair’s presence at its former site at Stourpaine Bushes.

“You could have heard a pin drop when he stood up. It was spellbinding. He had a wonderful way with words and was a great orator,” she said.

“He was a gentleman – and a gentle man. In all the years I knew him, I never heard him swear. His passion for Dorset and the rural way of life was fantastic.”

Cllr Colin Kay, the chairman of North Dorset District Council, said Mr Oliver’s steam fair had brought a massive financial stimulus to the district.

Tributes have been left at the Daily Echo’s on-line book of condolence. Keith Bottomley wrote on behalf of the North Dorset Railway Trust: “At the Shillingstone Railway Project we have always been very grateful for the massive support and enthusiasm he has given to our trust and site.

“As a true lover of steam in all its forms he will be sorely missed and the fair will not be the same without him…Another Somerset and Dorset legend has departed.”

The funeral will be held at St Nicholas’ Church and starts at 2pm. Mourners are asked to register their attendance at gdsf.co.uk.