MODEL enthusiasts no longer have to travel far and wide to get the equipment they need, as a new shop has opened in Trowbridge.

Father and son team Pete and Joe Cubitt opened the shop, at Hill Street, to cater for all types of model and radio control fans in the area.

Joe Cubitt, 36, said: "I have been involved with models ever since I can remember and this is something I have wanted to do since leaving school and now the timing is right so we are going for it."

There are model clubs in most west Wiltshire towns but, until now, those involved in the hobby have had to travel to Calne, Bristol or Salisbury to get parts.

"I am a member of four or five local model flying clubs and there isn't such a good retail outlet within a 20-mile radius," he said.

"Model flying has become more and more popular over the years and is now less specialised anyone can have a go."

Both Mr Cubitt and his father fly their model gliders in a national league and have been involved in the world of models for many years.

Their shop stocks remote controlled aircraft, including helicopters and gliders, as well as cars and boats.

It caters for beginners or those who just want to buy a ready-to-fly model, as well as those who like to build their own vehicles from scratch.

In addition to setting up the shop Mr Cubitt is also holding down a full-time job in the motor industry.

He is currently working for Evicta Sports Cars in Chippenham and was previously production manager with Marcos Cars in Westbury.

His father has worked as a shop fitter and also a shop manager in the past and brings considerable retail experience to the business.

The pair have high hopes that business will be booming and have already had considerable interest from fellow enthusiasts.

"It is daunting but we are confident at the same time.

"We know the products and what we are selling and we thought we had better open up to fill the gap in the market before someone else did it."

Remote controlled models have grown in popularity in recent years and model aircraft can often be seen in the skies above west Wiltshire, with the Westbury White Horse proving a popular venue for the hobby.