VINTAGE toy enthusiasts are in for a treat in the new year as a special convention is set to roll into town.

52-year-old Ronnie Davies is organising a mammoth vintage toy fair and is encouraging like-minded folk from all over town to help make it an event to remember.

Organised in conjunction with his friend Tim Pearson, vintage toy lover Ronnie is thrilled to be bringing the fair to his home town.

He said: “Tim and I have both lived in Swindon for a long time and we both collect vintage toys.

“We started running fairs around four years ago – mainly in Cirencester, Didcot and Bristol – and had always dreamed of bringing one to Swindon.

“We really wanted to put one on in the town because we thought it could really use something a bit different.”

However, an unsuccessful search for a suitable venue left them without anywhere to host it.

But, as luck would have it, a place has finally been found to host their first vintage toy fair in Swindon.

“I contacted someone at Swindon Town and they were kind enough to allow us to put something on at the County Ground,” said a beaming Ronnie.

“There is a big collectors market for toys from the Edwardian and Victorian eras right through to the modern day.”

Of course, with Swindon being a big train town, toys locomotive in nature will likely be very popular.

“There is still big demand for things like that in this area,” said Ronnie.

A host of collectors and dealers will set up their stalls for enthusiast to browse through. There will be, according to Ronnie, “a wide variety of stuff right across the board”.

He added: “I’m a bit nervous, but really looking forward to it. Hopefully the people of Swindon will come out and support us.

“It feels really good to be able to do this here and I’m sure it will be a big success.”

The event will take place on Sunday, January 7 and will cost £2.50 for adults, £1 for youngsters and children under 12 will go free. Tickets will be available on the door.

To find out more, visit www.retroronnie.com.