VISITORS looked through a window on the past when Castle Point Transport Museum threw open its doors for an open day.

More than 700 people attended the Canvey museum, where an assortment of coaches, Route-masters and various other buses dating from the Forties were on display.

The institution is home to more than 20 public vehicles, which also includes old fire trucks and military transporters.

Chairman Paul Moss said: “It’s amazing how many visitors have actually ridden on these buses as children, so we’re offering them a chance to re-live their childhoods.

“All these vehicles were in use in south Essex, and they are an important part of our past.”

Visitors also got the chance to ride on some of the old Bristol buses, which ferried people from a car park at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, in Somnes Avenue, to the Point Road museum.

Mr Moss added: “All these vehicles have been restored by people with a real passion for mechanics, and they run as well as they ever did in their prime.

“We had some people who just went back and forth between the museum and the car park, because they enjoyed the ride so much.”

The museum, which used to be a bus depot, opened its doors in 1978, and is entirely dependent on volunteers.

This year, it has added a few new facilities and attractions, including a canteen selling snacks and a massive eight-track model railway, which was enjoyed by many children during the open day.

Mr Moss said: “Everyone is amazed by the railway. It’s so intricate, and it’s even got a tram system running through it.”

The museum is open on the first and third Sunday of every month, and every weekend during August. For more information go to castlepointtransportmuseum.co.uk