A Thomas the Tank Engine ride has been banned from advertising for a Fat Controller - in case it discriminates against thin people.

Drusillas Park in Alfriston wants the employee to drive its new Thomas the Tank Engine train.

But managing director Laurence Smith said he was furious when his legal human resources advisers said he could not discriminate and might have to interview a thin person if one applied for the job.

He said: "This is the most crazy of all politically correct situations in a world that has gone mad.

"One of our male staff members, Brian Wise, has done the job for us on a couple of occasions but at a slim 15st he doesn't quite fit the specification."

Christine Smith, also a managing director at the zoo, said "Since we did the deal to bring Thomas to Drusillas we have worked very hard to ensure the train and all the theming is an exact replica of the books and the TV programme, so getting a fat Fat Controller is just part of that commitment.

"We are hoping that common sense will prevail and we will find the right person before too long. We are currently advertising the part-time job on our website but have had to be very discreet about what we say."

John Midgley, co-founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness, said: "This is part and parcel of the crazy politically correct world in which we live.

"Why on earth should this park that is trying to do its best to keep faithful to books, that have been enjoyed by generations, be penalised by the politically-correct lobby?

"You couldn't make this up. I have never heard of any organisation called the Commission for Fat Equality.

"It is so ridiculous. I really can't think that the vast majority of common sense people in this country would take the slightest offence over this.

"It is no wonder why in a national opinion poll carried out by ICM for the campaign that 80 per cent of British people are fed up with political correctness."

The Fat Controller, whose official name is Sir Topham Hatt, appears in the much-loved Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry.

Several suggestions have been made as to who the Fat Controller was based upon.

A common theory is he was modelled on Horace May, who was general manager of the Bluebell Railway, at Sheffield Park, during the Sixties.

Mr May also appears in the Railway Series as Stepney's controller in Stepney the Bluebell Engine, and does resemble the Fat Controller portrayed by illustrator John T. Kenney.

However, the Fat Controller had been in the books since 1945, long before Mr May rose to prominence in railway preservation circles.

A Day Out With Thomas events are popular throughout the country but Drusilla's Thomas the Tank Engine ride is the first permanent one.

Its Thomas was imported from Germany and came with a version of the carriages Annie and Clarabel.

It started running at the zoo, near Polegate, last month.

Do you think Drusillas bosses should be allowed to employ a Fat Controller? Have your say below.