MODEL railway fans were queuing up before the doors opened at Kendal's annual railway exhibition as the two-day event got off to a flying start, reports Andrew Daniels.

The event attracted many new exhibitors and proved fascinating for children and adults alike.

Joint exhibition manager Martin Elson said people travelled from all over the north of England to visit the event hosted by Kendal Model Railway Club which was now in its 42nd year.

"People will be coming from as far as Manchester, Liverpool and some from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

"A lot of people here will have started off playing with a train set at home and it's an interest that grows from there."

One of the first exhibits to catch the eye was the Japanese rural station snow scene. With all the detail and features, including a smoking chimney, waterfalls and working barriers. it took just six weeks to build.

"It's the first time we have come to the Kendal exhibition and it's very well organised and everyone's friendly," said exhibitor Norman Raven from East Yorkshire.

"I got taken to see trains when I was younger and it's a great hobby to have.

"When you've had a hard day at work you can go and relax while you work with the trains."

Another display attracting the crowds was George Nutter's Skipdale' a layout made from material recovered from skips. He was creating scenery from cereal packets, newspaper and carpet underlay. "The hardest things to make are the trees but it's very simple to make the grass what you may see as rubbish I make into models and it saves a lot of money," he said.

Joint exhibition manager Ian Conway said that 450 people had come through the doors in the first hour. "Last year we had problems with parking because there was a swimming gala on at the same time. That's not the case this year but the car park's still full," he said.