Full house at doll collectors fair

Enthusiasts from all over the country descended on Stafford at the weekend for a Dolls House and Miniature Collectors Fair.

The County Showgroud was the setting for yesterday's event, which attracted hardy collectors and enchanted first time visitors.

Almost everything imaginable was on show and there to be bought, all in miniature.

Collecting dolls houses, shops and other small scale settings is already a very popular hobby in the UK, said organiser Doreen Jeffries.

"There is practically no item in the real world which cannot be found recreated as a 1/12th miniature," said Mrs Jeffrries.

"False teeth, a toothbrush, corsets and stockings, a wedding cake, plants and flowers and well dressed people - the list is endless."

There was also an abundance of furniture to be had from a variety of historical periods.

"Some is mass produced in the far east while others take skilled craftsmen weeks to make, paying attention to dovetail joints, working locks and the perfect hand finishing usually associated with the most expensive furniture in full size."

Craftsmen who make miniature furniture were displaying their skills at the event and visitors were able to buy all kinds of miniature houses to get them started.

Mrs Jeffries organises two fairs a year in Stafford and says she loves returning to the town because they are always so popular: "We are always very busy when we come to Stafford. The venue is excellent."

An Aladdin's cave of treasures for collectors of toys was also unveiled at the venue for a fair that attracted more than 1,500 people.

There were more than 200 stalls run by collectors and specialist shops from all over the country. Barry Potter, of organisers Barry Potter Fairs, said it was the first of six fairs he was staging at the showground this year.

"There is a growing interest in toy collecting. It is television and film related items that are booming at the moment particularly Dr Who and Star Wars," said Barry, of Northampton, who published a book about the hobby - A Lifetime of Toys and Trains - last year.

"Stafford is a great venue for a toy fair. People come here from all over the country and the showground is one of the biggest and busiest fairs we run.

The next toy collectors' fair at the showground will be on March 16 from 10.30am to 3.30pm.