To Some, my boyhood would be a dream. The chance to be in a model shop from the day they were born, to attend shows all over the country from the national show at Warley to the Brighton show on the south coast. To probably be the only person ever threatened to be kicked out of the Warley show!

Now I am older I have a different view on modelling. I’m the sort of person who would have to have a layout perfect but don’t have the skill to build one. I've never been able to produce one that I could say, "this is my layout". Like many young boys did 7 years ago I bought a play station and joined the crowd as they say.

Now I look at the model railway industry and think what should be done to improve models’ detail and running ability. When I first saw digital systems arrive on the market I thought great things were happening and the industry was moving forward, but I do not believe it is where it could have been by now, with bluetooth technology available for wireless data transfer and with the kind of technology where audio files are so small you can fit them inside the locomotive on a small memory chip, anything could be done if people just looked at other industries such as computing and mobile phones to see what the big boys do.

I also have an interest in slot cars with around 150 in my collection. I have collected them since I was a small boy and I used to be a member of a local slot car club, but the building was pulled down in favour of a block of flats and the club was no more. I still collect slot cars but I only buy ones I really like. Mother still complains when I bring them home from work though!

Outside work I enjoy computing, and last year I completed a national diploma in computing at Chichester college. The course helped me learn about web sites and computers in general. My other great love is football and I support Portsmouth FC. This year I am now a season ticket holder for the first time.