FANS of children's favourite, Ivor the Steam Engine, had a treat at the Watercress Line railway on Saturday.

The popular railway icon from television and books in the 1960s and 1970s is coming out of retirement with the reprinting of the first two of the original six stories.

And one of Ivor's creators, 78-year-old illustrator, Peter Firmin, was on hand at the Alresford Station shop to re-launch the books about the "little engine from the top left-hand corner of Wales" and sign copies of The First Story.

Mr Firmin, from Kent, who co-created the books with author, Oliver Postgate, said: "It's very exciting that Ivor is coming out of retirement.

"Lots of people are always asking about him and I'm delighted to see the books re-launched again."

He was also at the station shop to take fans' questions about the engine from the Merioneth & Llantisilly Rail Traction Company.

Mr Firmin and Mr Postgate were also responsible for dreaming up Noggin the Nog.

On Saturday, Nick Boycott, who has been promoting the books' re-launch, said there had been a big turnout from both collectors and the public.

"There's been a lot of interest from the general public. Some have been buying four or five copies of the book to give to friends and family. "Peter Firmin does have a massive following all around the world. In fact, I didn't realise that he was as big as he is."