TEST YOUR STRENGTH ON THE MIGHTY STRIKERS

Carters Steam Fair travel three Strikers – or "test your strength" machines – the Mighty Striker, Mother Striker and Son of Striker.

The Mighty Striker, the largest of the three, dates from around 1948, and is believed to have been built for showman "Chicken Joe" France. He sold it to "The Windsor Lad" Chris Rigden in about 1970, and Carters bought it in 1975 to use at the rallies and collectors bazaars that they were running at the time. It was actually the first piece of fairground equipment the Carters owned.

In 1993 Joby Carter took it over and repainted it, and has since built up the Mother Striker and the Son of Striker himself to match. "We used to visit a farming or mining town, and people would hit the bell every time," he says, "but these days most people are white collar workers, they can't wield a hammer. The smaller ones are more popular than the Mighty Striker these days, because you're more likely to hit the bell."

The Strikers gives a prize every time, so even if you don't manage to wow your friends and relations with your awesome strength, you can still go away with a smile on your face. The secret to Striker-mastery is actually in the accuracy of the stroke – the flatter you hit it, the better your chance.