IT was all aboard for the newest member of Sodor Railway’s crew as he took over his special duties this weekend.

Ahead of its latest Day Out with Thomas weekend the East Lancashire Railway heritage attraction had held a competition to find the nation’s biggest Thomas the Tank Engine fan to become junior station master.

Steaming away with the prize was Thomas-mad four-year-old, Paul Mattinson, who headed down to the event on Saturday alongside his mum, dad and older sister.

As part of his super prize, Paul, who has a rare chromosome deletion, had a busy start to the day as he waved the flag for Thomas’s train, learnt how to punch tickets and received a special mention from The Fat Controller. He also got to take a ride along Thomas and blow the whistle, as well join the many other activities throughout the day.

Paul’s mum, Danielle, said: “Paul has complex needs and has been through a lot recently, so winning a competition to do with Thomas the Tank Engine, his favourite thing in the world, means so much to him.

“He’s had a fantastic day and he definitely won’t be forgetting it any time soon.”