Marie Price meets her family at the Appleby fair

Appleby Horse Fair attracts travellers and horse dealers and is one of the most important events on the travellers' calendar.

New road signs warning motorists of the event have been put up on the A66.

It follows an incident last year when a father and his young son died after a lorry hit their horse-drawn caravan as they joined the A66 from Appleby.

Martyn Cox, A66 route manager with the Highways Agency, said safety was a top priority.

He said: "Over the next few weeks there will be more horse-drawn vehicles on the roads.

Marie Price's 109-year-old caravan is immaculate

"Many of these will use the A66 because there are few alternatives. They are not a common sight on our roads today and much slower than other traffic and very vulnerable."

Mr Cox said drivers were being warned to expect to see the horse-drawn vehicles, to be patient and take extra care.

He said: "We have placed extra warning signs on the route and trailer mounted electronic message signs providing traffic information when necessary."

Marie Price, who travelled to Appleby with her family and 109-year-old caravan, from South Yorkshire, said: "All our people come here.

"There are 10 in my family and eight in my husband's.

"With us spread all over the country, it means we can meet up here every year."

The event runs until 9 June.