The post office has released a set of six festive Thomas the Tank Engine-themed stamps.

The set features Thomas the Tank Engine and friends wintering on the Isle of Man while enjoying a series of Christmas journeys on the island’s heritage railways.

The island has strong links to the Thomas series, with the author Reverend Wilbert Awdry openly crediting the Isle of Man as inspiration for the Island of Sodor, the setting for his stories in reference to the Manx ecclesiastical diocese of Sodor and Mann.

And in 2000, the island was one of the locations for the feature film Thomas and the Magic Railroad when Castletown Station transformed into Shining Time Station and the goods shed at Port Erin became the character Burnett Stone’s workshop.

Thomas first appeared in his own volume in 1946, the second of the Rev Awdry’s books making this year the 75th anniversary of publication.

The stamps were created by local designer Emma Cooke with imagery derived from the work of Reginald Payne and Reginald Dalby.

Many of the featured locations selected for the stamps can be seen along the Douglas to Port Erin railway line, while the hillside-view stamp, featuring Toby, incorporates the landscape that is home to the Snaefell Mountain Railway.

Meanwhile, Duncan’s stamp is set at Groudle Glen Railway.

In 1995, the post office released a set of six Thomas the Tank Engine stamps in which Thomas dreamt that he visited his friend, Caledonia on the island.

Maxine Cannon, IoMPO stamps and coins general manager, said: ’We are overjoyed to celebrate this Christmas with a marvellous set of six delightful Thomas the Tank Engine and friends stamps.

The Isle of Man has a strong connection with Thomas and here at the Isle of Man Post Office we share some fond memories of past stamp issues.’

The collection is available as a set, sheet set, presentation pack and first day cover.

The stamps will also be available as variable value self-adhesives (VVD).

These will be vended via IoMPO retail kiosks, post office counter network and via hand-held vending machines at one-off events such as stamp exhibitions.

For further information, people can visit www.iompost.com/thomas.