He might be in his 80s but there is no stopping expert craftsman Ron Morgan who has been using his new-found model-making skills to great effect.

He has been painstakingly making a range of toys, including dolls' houses to raise money for Minster surgery.

Mr Morgan has so far made two doll’s houses, a rocking horse and is now making a fishing boat - complete with sails, a mast and nets. His models are used in Minster Surgery’s Patient Liasion Group’s fundraising events. Two are held in the year, a spring fayre and a Christmas bazaar, and his models are always a major draw prize in the raffles.

Last year, the events enabled the practice to buy £18,000 of new equipment. Ken Self, chairman/ treasurer of the Patient Liasion Group said he felt that Mr Morgan’s contributions needed recognising.

He said: “Ron has made some excellent prizes, which appeal to all ages and especially families. In conjunction with our spring fayre and Christmas bazaar, we hold a grand raffle and display the prizes in the surgery waiting room a month or so before each event, and Ron’s handy work always commands top spot and are very popular, especially at Christmas - so helps us raise more money.”

But it’s in no elaborate workshop that he builds his creations in, it’s simply in a small cupboard in his flat in Rivers Court, Manston, where he lives with his wife.

For Mr Morgan, it is a new hobby, and he jokingly says it keeps him out of the way when his wife is watching Coronation Street.

He said: “I enjoy meeting people and socialising, especially when I visit the surgery, and I’m happy to help the fundraising ventures.”.

The Patient Liasion Group support the surgery in all areas they can, and have developed a good relationsip with patients in the community. The can also act as intermediaries between Minster Surgery and patients. This year, the Spring Fayre will be held on Saturday, May 13 and the Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 18.