The miniature steam railway in Eastbourne has become a firm favourite with children and their parents since it first opened nine years ago.

Now many more people well outside Sussex will get to hear about it thanks to Christopher Awdry, the son of the man who created Thomas the Tank Engine.

Mr Awdry is so keen on the railway off Lottbridge Drove that he has created a new series of books just about it.

For good measure he has included the real life owners Mike and Rachel Wadey and the rest of their family.

More stories are on the way, including one about when the railway was flooded during the heavy rain last year.

Getting this railway going was like a fairy tale and now its exploits have been made into children's stories.

It's great for the miniature railway and for the resort of Eastbourne.