DORSET'S Tank Museum has rumbled into the world record books for the largest ever gathering of scale model tanks.

A gathering of 1/6 scale tanks at the Bovington venue's TankMOD event in October last year has now been confirmed by Guinness as an official world record.

A total of 81 scale models were drawn together at the event in a record attempt arranged by Devon based 1/6 scale model manufacturer Armortek.

Following months of nervous waiting, the team at Guinness has now officially verified the record and the museum will take its place in the record books.

The event saw the model tanks line up around their life sized counterparts, from First World War to Cold War tanks, creating the largest ever gathering of scale model tanks assembled in one place.

Gill Watkins, who with her husband Mark owns manufacturer of 1/6th scale armour kits Armortek, said everyone involved in the event had been delighted to have received confirmation from Guinness that the world record had officially been broken.

She said: “All of the tanks brought together was a real sight to see - we’re so pleased to have broken this world record.

"It’s always incredible to witness the great enthusiasm and level of detail that goes in to making these vehicles the best they can be.”

The world record attempt took place as part of the museum’s annual model exhibition TankMOD, when numerous model exhibitors descend on the venue to show off their creations and share their hints and tips for creating for the perfect models.

The Bovington museum is already looking forward to another packed event this year, with the exhibition due to be held on October 8.

For information and details of other events coming up at the Tank Museum visit tankmuseum.org