HUNDREDS of enthusiasts enjoyed a model day out at the Macron stadium.

They descended on the venue yesterday to enjoy what is now the biggest modelling show in the north of England.

Bolton International Plastic Modellers Society (IPMS) put on a show four times larger than any it has held previously, with the theme of ‘print, film and TV’.

Societies clubs and traders from all over the country displayed an array of amazingly detailed models.

Among the highlights were a 1:43 scale model of the Millennium Falcon, the iconic Star Wars spacecraft, German battleship the Bismarck — replete with ‘smoking’ funnel — and Russian naval ship, The Pallada.

And, in keeping with the event’s overall theme, there were a host of characters from the worlds of comic books, films and TV shows.

Heroes and villains including Batman, Captain America and Darth Vader were all present and correct.

And alongside them were vehicles both historic and fantastical, from RAF fighters and Sherman Tanks to Thunderbird 2 and Star Trek’s USS Voyager.

Anthony Booth, from Beaumont Road,took in the variety of displays with his son Joshua, aged 6.

He said: “Joshua is always building stuff at home, more junk modelling from toilet rolls and things like that. We saw the advert on Facebook and thought we would pop along, and he is loving it. He is mesmerised more by the planes and World War Two things.”

And Barry Ford, from Radcliffe, was also at the show with grandson Charlie Lacey-Hey.

Charlie, who had bought a Mars Lunar Explorer Vehicle 5 model, declared the show ‘cool’ and said his favourite exhibits were the Millennium Falcon and a steam-powered boat.

David Swift, chairman of Bolton IPMS, said: “We were at St Joseph’s School up the road for seven years, but we outgrew that so decided to come here and give it a go and its’ worked well.

“It was bit scary, particularly when we came here when it’s empty, but everybody seems very happy with the move.

“The clubs and traders think it’s a brilliant venue, everyone is already asking if they can come again next year.”