A LIFELONG Meccano enthusiast has just finished work on a massive model of a train that took three years to build.

Ken North's six-foot long scale replica of British Rail's last ever steam locomotive, the Evening Star, will be on display at the Meccano Ingenuity exhibition in Ironbridge this weekend.

It is a working model, operated by remote control, but he doesn't intend to keep it. After exhibiting the train, he will take it apart for his next project - a model of the Middlesborough Transport.

"That's what Meccano's all about," said Mr North, 71.

He is keen to start a club in Malvern for fellow Meccano fans. Anyone interested should contact him on 01684 893 802.