An artist's impression of the new James and the Red Balloon ride

Children in Lichfield and Burntwood can enjoy a bedtime story with the Fat Controller to mark the launch of a new theme park ride.

An artist's impression of the new James and the Red Balloon ride
An artist’s impression of the new James and the Red Balloon ride

Drayton Manor will officially open the James and the Red Balloon ride at 11am on Saturday (April 1).

The new £250,000 attraction will lift visitors up and around, offering views across the ThomasLand section of the park.

To mark the opening, the Fat Controller will read youngsters a bedtime story on Facebook Live the night before.

A spokesperson said: “The tale of James and his cheeky antics with a hot air balloon is set to delight fans of the little blue engine, both young and young at heart.”

The Fat Controller’s bedtime story will be streamed on the theme park’s Facebook page at 6.30pm tomorrow (March 31) live from Drayton Manor.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.