Milton Keynes 50: Model railway society claims naming first

A model railway society believes it has a unique link with a new town celebrating its 50th birthday.

The Bletchley-based Milton Keynes Model Railway Society was established 48 years ago in 1969.

Chairman Chris Hughes says it was "probably one of the first organisations to embrace the new Milton Keynes name in its title".

"There was Bletchley Operatic Society, Bletchley this, Bletchley that. We were probably one of the first that was actually a Milton Keynes-named society," Mr Hughes said.

The society, which was based at Bletchley Park for 17 years, will be holding its annual festival at Stantonbury Leisure Centre to celebrate all things locomotive on Saturday.