THE Great Western Brick Show returned to wow crowds with all manner of marvellous models.

Thousands flocked to STEAM over the weekend to see creations that included a football stadium, a robot wars arena, a skyscraper of superheroes and a model railway.

Ian Surtees from STEAM said: “This show started back in 2002 and we’ve been building it up every year.

“It’s been great to see where people who were here at the first show have taken their hobby and the incredible things they’ve made. It builds on the engineering heritage of the town, it could inspire future engineers, and the museum is the perfect venue for this show.

He added: “The big models get the most attention but I like the intricate details of the smaller models, too. My favourite part of the show is the robot wars arena.

Leigh Mayne visited from Gloucester with her two boys Toby, 12, and Adam, seven.

She said: “We went to this four years ago and there’s so much more to see now, it’s much better.

“The boys have had a great time, they watched the robots fighting and looked at all the models. They love it and I’m sure they’ll be back next year.

“Adam liked seeing the Ninjago and he and Toby both liked watching the ball machine. Adam said he couldn’t take his eyes off it.”

A complex system of mechanisms dubbed the Great Ball Contraption sent balls up, down, and round and round as they travelled along a colourful circuit of Lego structures.

Huw Millington from the Brickish Association masterminded the model.“It’s mesmerising,” he said. “It’s great that so many people are seeing this, that makes it all worthwhile, it’s the reason we’re here. I’ve heard a few parents say to their children ‘Let’s do this when we get home,’ which is always nice. Hopefully this will inspire them.

“Each part took weeks to make, some were more complex than others, though the fact that it’s technically challenging is why I like doing it. Some people focus on the aesthetics of their models but I’m more interested in the mechanical side of things because I come from an engineering background.

“It’s fun to think of new ways to keep the balls travelling along while also making it visually interesting. Last year, I made a similar model on just two tables.

“This year’s is much bigger, with new machines , and we’re hoping to return next year with an even bigger and better contraption.”