Legoland model-maker says work is 'a kid's dream'

A model-maker who joined Legoland Windsor in 1997 says it is an "honour" to be part of the resort's story as it marks its 30th anniversary.

The theme park opened in 1996, and a year later Paula Laughton arrived as a newly trained model maker after originally studying furniture design.

Nearly three decades on, she has built a career as the resort's creative manager.

Reflecting on what she calls "the best job in the world," Paula said the role had always felt like "a kid's dream".

Today she oversees major build projects across the park, but over the years she has personally helped bring some of its most recognisable creations to life.

Among them are the 230,000-brick Eiffel Tower in Miniland Paris and large-scale themed worlds including Kingdom of the Pharaohs and Viking River Splash.

She recalled undergoing extensive training before being trusted with the larger, more complex models - starting with learning how to build hands and other small figures with precision.

"It makes me extremely proud of some of the things that I've built but also extremely proud of what the team do now," Paula said.

She said that as technology has advanced, the designs her teams now produce are far more sophisticated than anything she was expected to build early in her career.

Despite nearly 30 years working with Lego, she said she still enjoys playing with the bricks at home with her nieces.

"It's nice seeing the enjoyment that they get out of Lego," she added.