Thomas still on the rails after 70 years

Fans of the much-loved children's book series Thomas the Tank Engine have marked the 70th anniversary of their first publication.

The trains and buses, engines and carriages brought to life by Reverend W Awdry have a special connection with the Island.

Their fictional home the Isle of Sodor is based on the Isle of Man -after the author looked to the church diocese for inspiration.

Thomas the Tank and friends have been used as the theme for special family attraction weekends by the Island's steam railways, attracting vintage transport enthusiasts to the Island.

Toy historian and model railway expert Simon Kohler says the books, which spawned a TV series, have a unique and lasting link with Mann: