Turner’s Models in Dover has been providing families in the town with a great hobby for 40 years.

Shirley and Terry Slater, of London Road, took over the running of the shop in 1975. It had already been open for 30 years.

They have seen lots of changes over the years, both in the town and the toys.

Mrs Slater said: “We’ve watched our customers grow up and now we are serving their grandchildren.”

Making models used to be a great pastime for children but kids today prefer video games or they want their models to come out of the box ready rather than making it themselves.

Mrs Slater said: “This Christmas the ‘in things’ are drones, helicopters and small aircraft.

“If somebody wants something and we haven’t got it we will do our best to get it.”

“This shop is full of imagination, people who come in here are full of imagination, especially the children.” - Mr Slater.

Online retailers like eBay have the potential to ruin a shop like Turner’s but “you have to fight like with like” and so Mr Slater does repairs for all kinds of models, engines, big and small.

One customer used to call him Mr Fix It.

He said: “My favourite thing is meeting the people and the problems they dump on the counter.

“This shop is full of imagination, people who come in here are full of imagination, especially the children.”

Mr Slater started building models when he was just seven years old. He stopped for a while but got back into it in his late teens.

He was living in Rye and running a post office and garage with his wife when he learned that the shop in Dover was available.

He said: “This was a pure spur of the moment thing. I came and bought a model of a Bentley at £6.50, now its worth £100 and I’ve still got it. I walked in here and it was buzzing and I felt really comfortable and at home.”

When he walked out to the car he told Mrs Slater he had bought the shop and it was as simple as that.

The couple have two daughters Elaine and Jacqueline, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Cars are the most popular models but they also sell model trains and railways, planes, and collectables such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

They offer a repair service with no charge if the model was bought in the shop.

Turner’s has also won awards for its stunning Christmas window displays. Mrs Slater changes the display every three weeks but Christmas is her favourite.

From model-making gnomes to a Father Christmas coming down the chimney, there have been lots of surprises in the window entertaining children for decades.

Speaking about this year’s Christmas display, Mrs Slater said: “I’m hoping this one will top all of them.”

n For more information contact Turner’s Models, 14 London Road, Dover, on 01304 203711.