OXFORDSHIRE'S world-class model railway will be hosting a series of hands-on workshops and open days this Easter.

The Pendom Museum at Long Wittenham will be open from Good Friday through to Easter Monday, and will then be holding several other events in following weeks.

This Friday, visitors will have a rare chance to see the Madder Valley Railway set-up – built in the 1940s and widely acknowledged as 'the first fully-scenic model railway' – in operation.

On Wednesday, April 4, and the following Wednesday, the museum will be running free, drop-in children's modelling sessions.

Every child leaves with a completed model.

These days are run on a first-come first-served basis starting at 11am.

At the same time there will be free 'family trails' including 'I-Spy' activities aimed to teach visitors about life in the 1920s and 1930s.

The museum is also still hosting its widely-praised 3D photography exhibition which made the front cover of British Railway Modelling magazine.

The photos, taken by Paul Ellis, need to be viewed with special 3D glasses available at the museum.

From mid-April Pendon is also hosting its latest series of adult modelling workshops.

April 14 will be an 'Introduction to Control Systems' class followed by 'Creating and Painting Miniature Figures' on April 18/19.

On July 14 and 15 there will be special 'weathering workshops'.