CELEBRATING its 28th anniversary this year, Castle Point Transport Museum has long been a mainstay of Canvey's tourist hotspots.

The museum, housed in the former Canvey and District bus depot in Point Road, holds classic vehicles from emergency and military vehicles to rare buses.

Also among the relics on display are old bus tickets, photographs, posters and other public transport paraphernalia for visitors to enjoy.

There are also regular displays at the museum, a current favourite is an exhibition of 1940s transport and memorabilia.

Paul Moss, vice chairman and events secretary of the museum, believes the range of attractions is among the best in the county.

He said: "We get a lot of people at weekends, and even if people show up during the week we will show people around if we have any volunteers there.

"We are one of the few transport museums left in Essex. If we weren't here then you would have to go to Suffolk and places like that."

The age of the exhibits and the building which houses them is part of the charm of the attraction, but it does have a downside.

"The upkeep is colossal. We've just had part of the roof done which cost us about £24,000," said Mr Moss.

"It is the oldest registered commercial building on the island so it costs a lot to maintain."

The costs seem even more astronomical when you consider the museum is run entirely by volunteers, and makes money by taking vehicles to shows around the county.

By far the biggest money spinner of the year is the museum's annual show, which takes place on October 14 this year.

Mr Moss said: "The open day ranges over three venues, the museum, Leigh Beck school next door and Lubbins car park. This year there will be 55 stalls.

"It is the only way we can fund the museum - we rely on donations from people and going out to different shows handing out leaflets."

The museum is open to the public on the first and third Sunday of every month from 10am until 5pm.

For more details about the transport museum, call 01268 684272.