Model soldier collection to go on display at British Ironwork Centre
A national collection of model soldiers has arrived in Shropshire to go on permanent exhibition.
More than 40,000 of the small figures, from the early days of lead toy soldiers to today's artistic masterpieces, are to go on display at the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry.
This weekend volunteers from across the UK are helping to install the national collection in 20 special viewing cabinets.
The collection was founded in 1974 and has had many homes over the years including Blenheim Palace.
The pieces cover a whole timeline of history from the ancient and medieval worlds through the centuries to the first and second world wars and today's military.
As well as many single figures and small groups the collection includes large battle scenes.
Chairman of the British Ironwork Centre, Clive Knowles said he was delighted that the national collection would be housed in Shropshire.
"We wanted to ensure that families and children can see the collection before they go back to school," he said.
"It will be the single biggest collection on public view, throughout the UK."
Mr Knowles said the collection would also make a perfect opportunity on which to base a school trip.
