THE creator of a tourist attraction that was known as the ‘greatest little Britain in the world’ has died aged 79.

Harry Stiller developed the former leisure park and model village called Tucktonia, which was based next to the River Stour in Christchurch.

The attraction, which opened in May, 1976, drew visitors from all over the country and contained more than 200 models of a host of famous British locales – from Stonehenge to the Houses of Parliament, and from rural pubs to Tower Bridge.

Bournemouth Echo:

Mr Stiller, who died earlier this month following a short battle with lung cancer, had a varied career throughout his life. Before he created Tucktonia, he was a motor racing driver and a British Formula Three champion.

After he retired from the sport, he moved to Bournemouth and bought the Golfer’s Arms pub in Christchurch, along with the adjacent golf course. This site was eventually developed into Tucktonia, which was open until 1986.

In its heyday, Tucktonia attracted huge national publicity. It was opened by screen and stage favourite Arthur Askey. Other famous visitors included Tommy Cooper, while Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin hosted an edition of Swap Shop from the park.

Bournemouth Echo:

In 1981, former Jon Pertwee – in character as Worzel Gummidge – topped out the park’s tallest model building, a replica of the NatWest Tower.

The Tucktonia site covered more than four acres and the park took two years to plan and build.

Some of the country’s top model-makers created the 1:24 scale models, often working from the original plans for the buildings they were recreating.

The railway running through the site was said to be the largest two-and-a-half inch model gauge model railway in Britain at the time, with half a mile of track and more than 75 items of rolling stock.

At night, the models were illuminated by more than 12,000 bulbs.

And the model Britain was not Tucktonia’s only attraction. There was also a host of fairground rides, including a giant helter-skelter and a haunted house, as well as go-karting.

Harry’s funeral will be held at 2.30pm on Tuesday, May 29, at Bournemouth Crematorium.