Ananova:

A steam train fan has built a working miniature railway in his front garden.

Eric Marshall, 68, spent three years crafting the network which features four trains plus stations, signals, bridges, houses, waterfalls and even a working a cable car.

The former printer, of Bagby, North Yorkshire, said: "I've always had an interest in railways, as a kid I used to go trainspotting."

The railway attracts daily coaches of visitors and has raised £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support this year.

"A few years ago I went to a railway exhibition and saw the model trains running around and I thought that would look nice in my garden," he told the Daily Mail.

"I started building the railway three years ago and I make everything myself. I started with one track and now I have four.

"I make all the houses and stations from plywood and the tiles on the top are made from cedar wood. I use anything I can find around the house, like floor tiles - I never throw anything away.

Mr Marshall's wife, Jean, 65, said while she missed her lawn and flower beds, she enjoyed meeting all the tourists.

And she added: "It keeps Eric out of mischief."