Model railway fans have been treated to an incredible exhibits from 63 clubs and associations; hundreds of hours of painstaking work by groups with members from all kinds of backgrounds at this annual event.

In its first year there were over a thousand visitors, from the stalwart older enthusiasts, but joined by younger fans, re-excited by the arrival of digital controls which means that you can run your stations and tracks via your iPad or mobile.

Chairman of Wessex Association of Model Railway Clubs Ray Mead explained the enduring appeal of seeing tiny trains said: "For many it is the memory of the steam trains, that is certainly the case of the older visitors, but now we have youngsters who come along with DCC systems they can send their trains down the track via a message."

There was certainly something for everyone in the hall, from books, to repairs, hobby shops to selling the authentic railway sound and, of course, the models themselves everything from a Swiss Alpine railway, to a display from Lancashire which included a mine under the train tracks.

Everyone was certainly very welcome at the show, which is also on tomorrow (Sunday 5 January) from 10am with children for free.

The next model railway show in the South West will be Wimborne in March.