A feature-length Thomas the Tank Engine movie due to be released in cinemas this summer will introduce a new autistic character to the franchise in a bid to raise awareness of the condition amongst children.

According to reports Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor will feature a new locomotive with “character traits on the autistic spectrum,” that will be voiced by beloved British actor Hugh Bonneville.

The new character, Theo, has been designed and scripted to give children who have autism or Asperger’s syndrome a sympathetic character that they can identify with.

The idea follows a recent study carried out by the National Autistic Society, which revealed that autistic children are more likely to associate with Thomas the Tank Engine than with other popular children’s television shows.

Ian McCue, Senior Producer of Thomas & Friends, said: “With the characteristics of Theo, there is an intentional nod to autism, albeit a subtle one for our autistic fan base, some of who have become good friends”.

Reports suggest that Theo’s locomotive is quiet and thoughtful, with jolted confidence and a habit of blunt speaking.

“He has an unusual experimental drive system that doesn’t always run very smoothly and he makes sudden jolts forward or back when his rods or cogs jam,” creators explain.

Theo has also been described as “genuinely kind and caring” but “very shy, extremely cautious and awkward.”