A SPECIAL effects model maker who worked on one of the nation’s best loved children’s TV shows will be appearing at a charity fundraiser.

Alan Shubrook, who worked at the iconic Century 21 Film Studios during its Sixties heyday, will join the Thunderbirds team at Rescue 1 - a fundraiser in aid of the West Mersea RNLI.

Mr Shubrook worked on more than 100 programmes while at the Slough studios before it closed in 1969.

During his time there he took hundreds of behind-the-scenes photographs showing detail of how the special effects were achieved on the iconic TV show.

He will use this insider knowledge to give a one hour presentation at Mersea’s MICA Centre during the fundraiser.

Mr Shubrook said: “Working at the Century 21 Film Studios was the most amazing time of my life.

“Every day was different and truly amazing. I was only 19 years of age when I became part of a wonderful special effects team.

“You had to be extremely enthusiastic and mad to work in special effects in the Sixties.

“We produced some incredible programmes that have stood the test of time, and are still popular more than 50 years later.

“I hope to share some of the magic and mysteries that I experienced whilst working on Thunderbirds during my presentation in Mersea.”

Over the 50 years since Thunderbirds was produced, he has been asked to share his experiences with fans up and down the country.

A book of his model making exploits sold out in a matter of weeks after its release in 2007.

Mr Shubrook will be joined by VIP guests Mary Turner, creator and puppeteer behind Lady Penelope, and Shane Rimmer and Matt Zimmerman, the voices of the Scott and Alan Tracy.

The trio will be voicing their iconic characters during a reading of a script which has been specially brought to life by David Graham, who played Parker.

Although Mr Graham will not be at the event himself, he has pre-recorded his parts.

A number of original models and puppets will also be on display and the first Thunderbirds film will be played whilst the event is ongoing.

Rescue 1 takes place at the Mersea Centre, in High Street, West Mersea, from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday, March 16.

Tickets cost £12.50 for adults and £7.50 for children.

A maximum of 350 tickets are available, and can be booked at merseacentre.org/events.