Chocoholics in Southland are about to experience something delicious with a brand new exhibit at Bill Richardson Transport World in Invercargill opening this weekend.

The exhibition will showcase a special chocolate room featuring memorabilia from the Cadbury’s factory in Dunedin, with a special day of celebrations planned involving chocolate making demonstrations during its official opening on on World Chocolate Day this Sunday.

The display will feature a variety of wall panels from the Dunedin factory, as well as a collection of model cars, close to 50 different chocolate making moulds and a one tonne chocolate bunny.

The room was built by the Invercargill MenzShed and Transport World director Jocelyn O’Donnell said it was fantastic to support the group and tap into the expertise they offered.

“They have worked so hard on the Chocolate Room and it shows...I’m sure our visitors will love the feeling of whimsy it is going to bring to our collection."

A one tonne chocolate bunny will feature as part of the exhibition. PHOTO: Ben Waterworth

The design and ideas process for the room began in late 2018, with work starting in January.

Handcrafted elements made by MenzShed include cabinetry and display shelving for memorabilia, a couch and several ‘dumptys’, hundreds of plaster chocolates using moulds from the Cadbury factory and a ceiling and couch designed to look like a block of Cadbury chocolate.

Invercargill MenzShed manager Peter Bailey said the build was the biggest and most labour-intensive task the group has tackled

He said it was both a challenge and lots of fun.

“It’s been a real honour to work with Jocelyn. She’s so creative and she’s done a wonderful job here, so that was really inspiring.".

Mr Bailey said about 14 volunteers were used in the build, with the chocolate ceiling causing the most anxious moments due to it "bruising incredibly easy."

“We’ve got a guy in a wheelchair and he came in on his mobility scooter and painted all of the wee chocolates by hand. Another one of the guys in there, Kevin, he’s never done any furniture work before and he’s made the table. Some of the guys have never done any turning before, and they’ve had a go at that for the first time," he said.

“It’s things like that, giving people a go, that we’re all about.”

He hoped visitors appreciated their hard work and walk in and say "wow" when they saw their work.