One of the world’s best loved children’s characters is to appear on a new set of Royal Mail Stamps.
Thomas the Tank Engine is making the appearance to celebrate the centenary of the birth of creator Reverend W Awdry.
The stamps show iconic images from the television series Thomas & Friends, with the 1st Class stamp featuring Thomas pulling into the station under the guidance of the Fat Controller.
Thomas the Tank Engine was first seen in the book, Thomas the Tank Engine after Reverend W. Awdry created the stories and illustrations to entertain his poorly child, Christopher.
Christopher Awdry said: “My sisters and I are delighted that the centenary of our father's birth is being celebrated with these Royal Mail stamps. He would have been overwhelmed and deeply honoured to have been recognised in this way, and delighted that nearly 70 years after he first told me the stories, they would still be so popular.”
Philip Parker, Royal Mail Stamps spokesperson, said: “In this age of bullet trains and high speed travel it’s great to see that children around the world are still enchanted by a little blue tank engine and his friends. "
