POP phenomenon and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman will be returning to take part in Swindon's biggest railway festival.

Mr Waterman will be visiting the festival for the sixth time and will be bringing his impressive Just Like the Real Thing models to be displayed.

The models will also be on sale for the first time at the festival, which is being held on the weekend of September 15 and 16.

The music guru says he is looking forward to visiting the town once more.

He said: "It's great to be invited back to Steam to celebrate steam railways and the wonderful world of trains which are a lifelong passion of mine.

"The amazing skills and sheer hard work that went into building these magnificent machines is an important part of our industrial and social heritage. I feel privileged to be part of that community."

The Railway Festival has become well established among railway enthusiasts across the country and attracted more than 3,000 visitors last year.

The event in Kemble Drive is also popular with families as there are so many things to see and do.

Coun Justin Tomlinson, cabinet member for leisure, culture and recreation, said: "All members of the family will enjoy this terrific day out.

"There are so many attractions - from all the fascinating model railway layouts, with their fantastic detail, and marvellous five-inch gauge shunting demon- strations, to the great variety of trade stands, railway talks and the wonderful locomotives and displays at Steam."

Hornby and Bachmann will be at the festival with their roadshows, alongside the many exhibitors displaying some of the best Great Western railway layouts in the country.

There will be also be special workshops on how to build and repair models, as well as the chance to chat to modelling experts from the famous Pendon Museum and British Railway Modelling magazine.

Other festival highlights include a display of paintings by professional railway artist Neil Podbery who will be painting during the festival.

A railway café will keep visitors refreshed in first-class style and there are plenty of trade stands. The Steam shop also has many new additions for sale, including a wide range of railway books, souvenirs and Thomas the Tank Engine merchandise.

For more information about the Swindon Railway Festival, call Steam on 01793 466646 or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/steam.