A new model boat room was officially opened at Deal Maritime and Local History Museum on Monday.

Trustees and supporters were joined by residents who have donated model boats to the museum this year.

The room has been created on the first floor of the museum’s stable block at the back of the premises in St George’s Road, Deal.

Existing models which had been displayed throughout the building have been brought together with the new donations to create the display.

Joanne Turpin, who cut the ribbon, donated a model of the 17th century warship HMS Sovereign of the Seas. It was built by her late father Alan Pearce.

Mr Pearce had a love of the sea and found model making therapeutic. He worked on the Sovereign for about five years and Mrs Turpin recalled “he sometimes found it difficult to sleep and could be found in his workroom at all hours of the night”.

Retired Deal postman Colin Ashby gave the museum three of his model boats – HMS Diana, HMS Jalose and HMS Snake. He also made the large display cases that house the models.

Barrie Wootton, from Sandwich, donated a model of HMS Sheffield, which saw action during the Second World War.

The Sheffield is being displayed with the museum’s Second World War exhibition commemorating the evacuation of Dunkirk.

Mr Wootton has also given the museum two other models made by his late friend Bob Butler, also from Sandwich.

The model boat room is just one of the new attractions to be found at the museum this year.

During April and May it is open Tuesday to Friday 2pm to 4.30pm, Saturdays 11am to 4.30pm and Sundays noon to 4pm.

Hours are extended during June, July and August when the museum opens at 11am on weekdays.

It is also open on bank holiday Mondays during the season. For more information email info@dealmuseum.co.uk.