WHEN Nicu Kovalenko, a visitor from Moldova visited friends near Ledbury at Christmas, he told them that Dr Who is hugely popular programme with people of all ages in his home country.

He asked where he could buy merchandise to take a gift to his girlfriend, Victoria, who lives in Chisinau, the Moldavian capital.

His hosts, who live in Bromsberrow Heath, took Nicu to Herefordshire's Time Machine Museum in Bromyard which has a superb collection of Dr Who artefacts and related objects, including the famous red Dalek, Cybermen and Jon Pertwee's Tardis, in addition to objects from Star Wars, Thunderbirds and other marvels. Nicu was informed that this is the only museum of its kind outside London and received many visitors from around the globe, acquiring new exhibits frequently such as the frightening 'Weeping Angel' voted the scariest monster that featured in 2007.

Nicu purchased a talking Dalek, knowing it would be greatly appreciated by his girlfriend. He ensured the gift was switched off in order to take it safely through customs. Richard Long commented that he was delighted to have shown Nicu the museum, as well as the rural areas as many regions in Moldova are rich in agriculture and viniculture.