Truckfest is expected to draw huge crowds to the East of England Showground in Peterborough today, with total attendance expected to reach 100,000 visitors.

But yesterday's opening was marred by tragedy when a driver who had travelled to the event in his articulated tractor unit was found collapsed in the vehicle.

The victim has not been named by police, but was described by them as a 58-year-old man from outside the area.

Security officers were alerted at around 8.30am by a worried woman, and are understood to have found the man lying on the floor of the cab of his blue-and-silver Scania R 500 truck, which was parked near the perimeter fence.

Emergency help came from the festival's on-site ambulance staff and an outside crew, who treated the man at the scene.

He was rushed to Peterborough District Hospital, but was pronounced dead later.

Roger Bates, events control manager at Truckfest, said the thoughts of all those involved with the two-day extravaganza were with the relatives of the dead man.

He said: "It's very sad for something like this to happen. On behalf of Truckfest, I would like to say that our sympathies are with the family and friends at this sad time."

Touchingly, floral tributes had been laid in front of the dead man's truck by yesterday afternoon.

Elsewhere, the festival produced a lighter moment when one of the star guests nearly became separated from his trousers.

Jack P Shepherd, who stars in Coronation Street as David Platt, was climbing into a truck in the main arena when his jeans slid down to reveal his underpants.

Hundreds of fans also gathered to watch three members of pop band Boyzone perform on stage.

Truckfest has drawn a record number of around 1,500 entries this year for competition categories including best light commercial vehicle, best custom and paintwork vehicle, and best classic or vintage.

Besides admiring the motors, hundreds packed the arena grandstand yesterday to watch ear-splitting monster trucks Slingshot and Swamp Thing clamber over a row of old cars.

And youngsters got the chance to climb on to some lorries and take hold of the controls.

Thomas Davies (14) said the event had deepened his interest in the family haulage firm.

He said: "Truckfest is good because you get all these different events in one place at the same time.

"My stepdad's a trucker. I might become one if I can take over the business."

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