IAN MORDUE is serious about Meccano. As a boy he would spend hours sat in his bedroom transforming bits of metal into bridges, robots and cars.

For Ian, Meccano was more than just a schoolboy fad - it was the gateway to another world.

And even now, at the age of 50, he still devotes much of his spare time bringing his collection of parts to life.

You name it, he'll build it, and he admits he is as passionate about Meccano now as he was as a child.

"I love it, it's as simple as that," he said.

"Essentially, it's a hobby. But whenever I get the chance I'll just spend hours tinkering with my set, building new things. The possibilities are limitless.

"It's not just a toy for boys. A lot of people dismiss it as that, and that can be annoying. There are a lot of female enthusiasts and older fans, and it is a great way to learn about problem solving and for improving dexterity."

For Ian, and thousands of other enthusiasts worldwide, this year is a landmark in the history of Meccano.

Around the world, festivals are being held to celebrate its centenary, and here in the region, hundreds of Meccano fans will be flocking to Darlington for the North-East Meccano Society's annual exhibition.

About 80 Meccano models will be on display at the event, where fans will buy and sell parts, and share tips on how to build new models.

The exhibition, which will be held at the Darlington Arts Centre on November 10, is also a chance for enthusiasts to try to encourage today's generation of youngsters to get involved with Meccano.

Ian, from Durham, said: "Meccano is not just fun, it is a brilliant way for youngsters to pick up important skills.

"Many companies use Meccano to help them plan a construction or demonstrate how it will be built, and I think any budding engineers would learn a lot from getting involved in Meccano.

"Many of the great engineers of the last century have sworn by Meccano, which proves it is not just a toy."

To find out more about the exhibition, contact Ian on 0191-384 9381