A MINIATURE railway club has designed and gifted a model layout to a young man with learning disabilities to boost his passion for the hobby.

Burbage and District Model Railway Club were inspired to make Thomas Fry’s vision a reality after hearing about his interest in creating the miniature landscapes.

Thomas, 20, is in his second year studying Enterprise Skills at Newbury College, a course designed to help people with learning disabilities and learning difficulties gain the tools to succeed in the work place.

The keen model railway builder hopes to finish the course next year and go on to find a job in the community.

After moving to Burbage from Shalbourne last year, Thomas struck up a friendship with club member Chris Patrick, who was the mastermind behind the design and creation of the model.

The family have been overwhelmed by the support from the club to make sure Thomas was involved at every stage of the model's build.

Mum Sue Evans-Fry said: “Thanks to the Club for thinking outside the box. Realising that normal club sessions would not suit Thomas and his needs, the Club's offer to provide one to one expertise and support has given Tom the chance to realise his ambition to have his own fully working layout; actually it far exceeds Tom's wildest dreams.

"Chris was so patient and Thomas used all the many tools in his work shop. It was great that he could get so involved."

Thomas added: “I am very proud of the layout and have really, really enjoyed working with the club members.”

Chairman of the Burgage club, Sonny Hamid, said: “Thomas had a very good idea of what he wanted to incorporate into the layout. After having outlined his preferences the team set to work overseen by member Chris, an accomplished railway modeller himself.

“We hope that the layout will provide Thomas with much entertainment and a good start to engineering in miniature.”

Included in the model, which now lives in Thomas’s study, is a church, a windfarm, a merry go round and a stream.

The work was completed through a joint effort between memebrs who used their individual expertise to create the masterpiece. Mr Hamid encouraged anyone interested in the hobby to contact him on 01672 811 933 to get involved.