Cumbria’s biggest railway show has been hailed a huge success by the organisers, with a bumper crowd attending.

Workington’s Model Railway Exhibition, held at the Energus building, Lillyhall, at the weekend attracted over 1,200 visitors, 300 more than last year.

Philip Tuer, the chairman of Cumbrian Railways Association, who organised the event, says there are a number of possible reasons for the increased interest, including one very famous singer.

He said: “I think some of it might have something to do with the recent television series The Great Model Railway Challenge.

“And, of course, Rod Stewart has been in the news with his layout and he appeals to people who might not usually come along.”

The event is a gathering for model railway enthusiasts from across Cumbria and Northern England.

It’s the eighth year it has been held and is run entirely by volunteers.

The best layout at the exhibition, voted for by the visitors over the weekend, belonged to Chris Wright from Eamont Bridge who was showing off his brightly coloured, Japanese Z gauge railway featuring a high speed bullet train.

Of the 16 layouts attending this year’s event only three had been seen at the show before and 11 were from within Cumbria, a show record.

Philip says they’ve already started planning next year’s event: “We’ve already got the exhibitors booked. Who knows? Next year’s show could be even bigger.”