SAILING model boats is far from a thing of the past in one Wiltshire town, for Warminster Model Boat Club has seen a surge in numbers in the last 18 months which has taken them from just seven members to an impressive 27.

The club, which meets at Warminster Lake Pleasure Grounds every Thursday evening and Sunday morning, was first set up over 30 years ago, and has since seen thousands of model boats built and sailed on the town park lake.

With more people taking an interest in model boats, club secretary John Kitley hopes to get more young people involved in modelling.

Mr Kitley said: “We have two junior members joining us soon which we are looking forward to.

“Whatever gets children and teenagers outside and not just on their phones and Ipads is a great thing.

“Some of the members do bring their grandchildren along too.

“Younger children do tend to take an interest in our model boats, at the party in the park event we had a queue of youngsters wanting to have a go.

“We are planning on getting some have-a-go boats for the next event as it was so popular.”

All members of the club spend time making their own model boats before testing them out on the lake waters.

Popular models at the moment include the Dragon 65 Yacht. Other models include HMS Kent, a Scottish trawler, and paddle steamers, each of which can take anything from a few months to a couple of years to make, and can cost from £60 to £500 depending on the kit.

Mr Kitley said: “Members usually tend to have one long term project on the go at any one time, as well as something quicker which they can make and just stick in the water for a bit of fun.”

For more information on Warminster Model Boat Club, please visit www.warminstermbc.co.uk