PROPERTIES are bought and sold every day - but it's not often a whole village is put up for sale.

Yet the cluster of houses, shops, churches and all the things which have become part of daily life in this particular hamlet is spread over just two-and-a-half acres in Blackpool.

The Model Village, which has been part of the landscape on East Park Drive for more than 20 years, is on the market.

Owner Eric Kenning has decided to get out of the property renovation business after spending eight years as a builder, painter and improver of some of the smallest homes on the Fylde Coast!

He has added whole estates of cottages to the attraction, not to mention a floral version of Blackpool Tower, a couple of miniature railways and a castle.

A former hotelier, Mr Kenning has become a dab hand at constructing entire transport systems with all the trains running on time.

The Model Village attracts thousands of visitors every year from schoolchildren on organised outings to pensioners from far and wide, who bring picnics to enjoy in the picnic area complete with wishing well.

He says he has enjoyed the challenge of operating a business with a £70,000 turnover but is now ready for a change - despite predicting a very busy 1996 season coming up.

He said: "We've weathered the recession and all the signs are that it's over and Blackpool is set to boom. I have had a good time here, it has kept me busy!"

The Village opens in two weeks and operates until November. It has parking for around 100 cars and is four years into a 21-year full repairing lease with Blackpool Council.

The present rent level is £8,000 a year, with reviews every four years.

Commercial estate agents Kays on Church Street are handling the sale at an asking price of £62,500.

David Nolan of Kays joked: "I went along to take the instructions, but I must admit I had a bit of difficulty getting into the houses for a look around!"

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