A Lego cityscape built partly from one of the largest private collections in the United Kingdom is on display at a shop in Bangor, with donations invited for Guide Dogs NI.

The model, which fills four tables at Magpie Bricks on King Street, incorporates structures from the collection of Ian Armstrong, a 26-year-old Bangor resident who died last November after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Mr Armstrong, originally from Letterbreen in County Fermanagh, had lived in Bangor since 2019 and had been a volunteer and fundraiser for the guide dog charity.

Shop owner Rachael Morrow was asked to value the collection after Mr Armstrong’s death. She described it as extraordinary and believes it to be one of the largest personal Lego collections in the UK. She purchased part of the collection to finish what he had started and to honour his memory.

Ms Morrow spent from 7 June to 3 July restoring cleaned and assembling elements, often working from early morning until late at night. The display opened on 4 July, coinciding with the shop’s third anniversary. Since then, interest from the public has been strong, she said.

Visitors can view the cityscape and make a donation to Guide Dogs NI. Mr Armstrong’s parents, Helen McElmurray and Roy Armstrong, will also hold a sale of his remaining Lego sets and boxes at Hillsborough Village Hall on 24 October from 9am to 4pm. Proceeds will go to Guide Dogs NI, Cancer Focus NI and Marie Curie.

Mr Armstrong had survived a brain tumour as a child, which left him partially sighted. As an adult he completed a parachute jump among other fundraisers for Guide Dogs NI.