POP IDOL judge and railway fan Pete Waterman will open a special event at the Steam museum next month.

Mr Waterman, who is currently appearing on the ITV1 talent show alongside fellow judges Simon Cowell, Nicki Chapman and Neil Fox, will open this year's Great Western Steam Convention, which takes place on the weekend of Septem-ber 27 and 28.

A record producer by day, Mr Waterman is a railway aficionado in his spare time and will bring his collection of GWR memorabilia with him.

The convention has been described as the definitive Great Western experience, offering a day out for all the family and steam buffs.

Familiar to millions of people across the country, Mr Water-man has been working in the music business since 1958 when he began DJing at friends' parties for 50p a night.

His reputation flourished in the 1960s and bands like The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac began asking him for advice.

He became a huge name in the 1980s when he collaborated with Mike Stock and Matt Aitken, revolutionising pop music and discovering artists like Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley.

Over the years, he has amassed a large collection of rail memorabilia, and even owns a full-size locomotive, which was the star of last year's Steam convention.

Among the items on display will be will be one of the oldest working GWR locomotives No 813 which runs at the Severn Valley railway in Worcester-shire.

There will also be a number of 0 and 00 gauge model railway layouts all representing parts of the GWR and the Western Region of British Rail.

A number of guided tours will operate from the museum, taking in the extensive workshops around the Churchward area as well as the museum itself.

There will also be the opportunity to meet former engine drivers, firemen and factory workers and to see stands from organisations including the Great Western Society, the Friends of the Museum and the Hornby models roadshow.

Entry to the convention is the same price as normal admission £5.95 for adults, £3.80 for children aged five to 16 or £3.90 for senior citizens. Family discounts are available.