Thomas & Friends: King of the Railway

Thomas & Friends: King of the Railway is showing at Showcase Cinema de Lux in Southampton on Saturday 4 July, with the session starting at 10:30. It's a new adventure for the blue tank engine, who spends the story helping a friend save a ruined castle.

For those who only know him from the toys, Thomas has a bit of a history. He first appeared in The Railway Series, the books written by Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher starting in 1946. He's based on the LB&SCR E2 class of steam locomotive, and since then he's become a global icon with his own spin-offs, merchandise and television series. He's the North Western Railway's number 1 engine, living and working on the Island of Sodor, and his design has come a long way from the wooden toy based on an LNER Class J50 that started it all.

Showcase Cinema de Lux is up on Level 4 of Westquay South (SO15 1DE), so it's right in the middle of the shopping centre. They pitch themselves as a family-friendly cinema, and there are no booking fees when you buy tickets online. If you fancy something a bit more comfortable, you can upgrade to luxury recliner seating for an extra charge.

Tickets are £25 for a family ticket, which covers two adults and two children, or one adult and three children. The session is at 10:30 on Saturday 4 July at Showcase Cinema de Lux, Level 4, Westquay South, Southampton, SO15 1DE.