The exhibits have been collected by Ian and Rebecca Gregory over many years, and are centred around a 00-gauge model railway layout.

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Also on display at The Old Chapel, in Chapel Street, are a model village with G-gauge train, a collection of Tri-ang tin plate lorries, Steiff automated teddy bears and other animals, pedal cars from the 1950s and 1960s, Corgi and Dinky cars, dolls, and models of various buildings, including a working water mill.

There is also a model of the Titanic made of 22,000 matchsticks, and items with a Star Wars or Harry Potter theme.

The museum has been set up as a charitable trust and will initially be open until Monday, August 31.

Future dates will be decided at a later stage, but Ian and Rebecca hope to open the museum again during October, and in the run-up to Christmas.

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

The museum is Covid-secure, with a one-way system, social distancing and separate entrance and exit doors.

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James GregoryThe collection began in 1959, with a bright-red Austin pedal car, which can still be seen on display today. Picture: James Gregory (Image: Archant)