STAMP and card collectors from all over the country arrived in Swindon on Saturday for one of the largest shows of its kind.

The event, organised by Swindon Philatelic Society often draws more than 500 people hoping to buy and sell stamps.

Organiser David Gibbon said the event was so popular with dealers that they had a reserve list. “Some people have been waiting years to get in here.”

He explained: “The appeal is that with the number of dealers we have got, almost anything you want you can get here.”

A couple came in wanting to sell their collection, others came from far and wide in the hope of picking up a bargain.

One Canadian man drove up from the south coast when he heard the fair was on. Another regular visitor from China ensures his holiday in the UK coincides with the event.

As well as buying and selling, visitors were also able to see the collections of specialist societies like the Falkland Islands Philatelic Study Group, the Polar Postal History of GB and the George VI Collector’s Society.

Staged at St Joseph’s College for the past eight years, the event also feature collection competitions with different themes like Cinderella, which were revenue stamps used for documents rather than the mail.

The show is the biggest outside London and has been running for 28 years. The Society, which meets regularly at Lawn Community Centre. For more information visit google.com/site/swindonphilatelicsociety