The Repair Shop's experts restore model church

Sarah Gardner spent almost a year tracking down the model church which features in an episode of the Repair Shop

A historic model church that had fallen into disrepair has been restored by experts who work on the BBC's Repair Shop series.

Dunster's model village, at Spears Cross, Somerset, was created by Llewellyn Pluck 50 years ago and was so popular it even appeared on postcards.

Several decades after the miniature village was dismantled, Llewellyn's granddaughter, Sarah Gardner, turned to social media to track down some of the original models.

After 10 months, she found the model of Culbone Church and then contacted The Repair Shop producers who agreed to restore it.

She said: "I don't have any idea what happened to the others. I believe this might be the only one left in a state that could be repaired."

The BBC series shows a workshop filled with expert craftspeople who bring loved pieces of family history back to life.

Ms Gardner managed to track down one of the models, a chapel

Ms Gardner said her granddad "needed a bit of a hobby" while running the Spears House guest house.

"He opened the model village to the general public which they loved. It was a real labour of love over years," Ms Gardner added.

She eventually discovered the model church had been kept in an allotment.

"It had been outside for 50 years so it was in a really bad state," she added.

The model village used to feature on postcards

Ms Gardner contacted the Repair Shop about two years ago and they approached her in early April.

"I put it in the back of my shed and it got to the point that my husband said we need to get rid of it," Ms Gardner said.

"I couldn't put it out in my garden, it was too badly damaged. And then suddenly I got the call.

"I don't have any idea what happened to the others. I believe this might be the only one left in a state that could be repaired. If there are any out there, please get in contact."

The episode featuring the model church will air on BBC One at 20:00 BST.