They are boat enthusiasts who get to hang out with top models.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Model Boat Regatta on the boating lake at Kessington Gardens.Osprey fishing boat operated by Nigel BalePIC: Nick ButcherLowestoft Model Boat Regatta on the boating lake at Kessington Gardens.Osprey fishing boat operated by Nigel BalePIC: Nick Butcher (Image: ©Archant 2013)

For thirty years the members of the Lowestoft Model Boat Club have been showing of their hand made vessels, which they have spent countless hours building from scratch or from kits.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Model Boat Regatta on the boating lake at Kessington Gardens.PIC: Nick ButcherLowestoft Model Boat Regatta on the boating lake at Kessington Gardens.PIC: Nick Butcher (Image: ©Archant 2013)

And on Sunday a flotilla of their boats took to the water at the boating lake in Kensington Gardens for a charity regatta.

Crowds gathered by the waterside as about 20 club members used remote controls to guide their boats and ships along the lake's surface - and in one case below it.

People looked on as the electric powered tiny craft, which included tugs, mine sweepers, rescue boats and a luxury cruiser, took part in a series of competitions which tested their masters' skills at steering and towing around a series of obstacles such as a lighthouse, oil rig and minefield.

Club chairman Alan Wright could be seen controlling his U-boat which lurked beneath the surface and then appeared suddenly by other boats.

Mr Wright, 62, said: 'I have been making models on and off all my life.

'It is just a relaxing hobby. You get great pleasure from building and sailing them.'

Club secretary Ron Brown bought three boats to the regatta, a military hovercraft he had built over three years, a jet ski and a sailing yacht.

Mr Brown, who has been making models for the last dozen years said: 'It is a nice hobby to have if you enjoying messing around the wood and odds and sods.

'We have had a good turn out day and there are a lot of people watching.

'And two people have come up to me saying they want to join.'

The Lowestoft Model Boat Club meets every third Sunday of the month during the summer and every first and third Sunday during the winter when the clocks have changed.

It also holds meetings on Wednesday nights.

Anyone interested in joining can call Mr Brown on 01502 514003.