Thomasland due to open in 2008 with all the rides being manufactured outside the UK

A theme park dedicated to children鈥檚 character Thomas the Tank Engine is being constructed in Staffordshire.

The 280-acre site, at Drayton Manor near Tamworth, will house several rides for children from 12 months to five-year-olds, as well as a Thomas-themed hotel with 145 bedrooms, 40 log cabins and a site for 300 caravans.

鈥淭homasland鈥� cost several million pounds to construct and will open in spring 2008. It is the world鈥檚 second theme park dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine, after the Japanese pioneered the idea.

The park鈥檚 rides are fabricated by manufacturers from Germany, Italy and Sweden, as UK contractors were not interested in the project.

Tickets for adults to enter the park will cost around 拢23 and a shop will provide Thomas-themed merchandise.

Colin Bryon, head of Drayton Manor, told media: 鈥淭here鈥檒l be a thrill, but it鈥檚 all suitable for children.鈥�