Scores of people turned up to the Chantry Centre at the weekend as Andover Model Railway Club hosted an open day.

The club took over the garden seating area adjacent to Boswells cafe between 10am and 4pm, with several layouts on displays.

It fascinated adults and children alike, with family favourites including Thomas the Tank Engine and the Hogwarts Express even making an appearance.

A model workshop, to introduce children to some of the basic skills of scenery building, was available, and even the mayor and local councillors attended.

Speaking to The Advertiser at the event, Martin Wilcocks, chairman of the club, said that anyone was invited to come along and see whether they enjoy it.

"You could turn around and say we just like trains!" he said when asked what the attraction of model railways was.

"But the attraction is that we just want to get hands-on and build things and do things. It is a space to run things.

"When you look at the detail, it is totally built from scratch. It is a step up from your train set.

"You can become involved in a major way like this. You can be involved in a project like this beyond what you can do at home.

"Come along on a Wednesday night, introduce yourself," he added.

More information can be found at http://www.andovermodelrailwayclub.co.uk/