Mr May was filming for a forthcoming documentary he will present about Britain's best loved toys and joined around 130 exhibitors at The Embassy Theatre in Grand Parade.


James May's Toy Stories will run as a six-part series on BBC2 later this year and will see him look at some of Britain's best loved toys.


He will attempt to build life-size houses, planes, bridges and gardens using Meccano, Lego and Plasticine.


Event organiser Mike Cotterill, from Skegness, said: "He seemed to be looking at the generality of Meccano modelling as it was and how it is now, to get an up to date view of it."


He said he thought Mr May enjoyed his time in Skegness and was enthusiastic about the exhibition.


Hovercraft, trams and famous buildings made from Meccano were on display throughout the day as exhibitors travelled from all over the country for the event.


Former RAF wing commander Geoff Bennet won the Sir Alec Issigonis Meccano shield for his hovercraft design, beating off models of the London Eye and a London bus.


Mr Cotterill said the show was a success, adding: "Every year we have different models but it is always attractive to us."