The little engine and his steam-driven friends, created by the Rev A. W. Awdry in his Railway Stories books, have been entertaining children on television for almost 20 years. But according to Brian Young, a psychology lecturer at Exeter University, the sheer volume of accidents in the ITV programmes could have an adverse effect on young minds.

Dr Young, who is the Independent Television Commission expert on how children react to programmes, said: “Thomas the Tank Engine is aimed at a pre-school audience who tend to be more likely to see the programme as reality. They haven’t learnt to disconnect what they see around them from what they see on television.

“As a result there is a possibility that the sheer amount of crashes they see on Thomas could frighten them. Seeing lots of crashes on TV means they could end up absolutely terrified of going on a train.”

He said there was evidence that children who watch programmes that consistently portray the same image tend to think there is more danger than there actually is. “Seeing disasters and accidents time and time again can affect some children and their fear threshold becomes more sensitive.”

Dave Rodgers, 66, of the Railway Enthusiasts Society, accused the programme-makers of distorting the truth and worrying children unduly. “Thomas the Tank Engine is giving children the wrong information,” he said. “I’m sure the Rev Awdry, who was a rail enthusiast, would not approve of these new stories which seem to contain a crash in every episode.

“The programme should be stressing the fact that trains are safe, not showing crashes all the time.”

A spokesman for ITV said: “Obviously we take the content of our children’s programmes very seriously and it is something that is regulated. However, we are entirely confident that Thomas the Tank Engine, which has been on air for many years, is suitable for children.”

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