Model railway company Hornby has announced its plans to relocate to Discovery Park in Sandwich.

It will occupy a 16,000 sq ft space in The Gateway at the science and technology park in Ramsgate Road.

The company which creates much-loved toy railways and also owns Scalextric, will be moving all its office-based operations including sales and marketing, accounts and human resources to the site from their existing offices in Margate.

Nick Stone, group finance director at Hornby plc, said: “Our current offices were no longer fit for purpose and we considered Discovery Park to have the best office facilities available. The site also offers room for us to grow, an innovative environment to do business and a positive ethos, gained from being based amongst other businesses there.

“In theory, we could have relocated anywhere, however we were intent upon staying in East Kent for a number of reasons, not least because of the many loyal and experienced employees we have here, but also due to the area’s regeneration and transport links.”

It leaves just a handful of people running its visitor centre in Thanet, where the company has been based for more than 60 years.

Discovery Park’s history being covered in rail marshalling yards during the First World War and located just a mile from the former Train Ferry berth, was another factor for the move.

Discovery Park is now home to 108 companies and employs more than 2,000 employees.