CAMPAIGNERS will be bringing 'Thomas the Stank Engine' to a railway open day in protest at the transport of nuclear waste.

The demonstration will take place at the Direct Rail Services (DRS) charity open day on July 6 at the DRS Carlisle Kingmoor depot.

Direct Rail Services (DRS) is a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), which is charged with decommissioning redundant nuclear power stations and managing radioactive waste.

'Thomas the Stank Engine' - which looks like a sinister version of the famed locomotive of children's literature - is the cartoon creation of Cumbrian campaigner Marianne Birkby of Radiation Free Lakeland.

Martyn Lowe of Close Capenhurst, who will be protesting at the event, said: "Thomas got his name because he hauls train wagons which contain very stinky, very dirty, and very nasty nukiller waste (unshielded nuclear waste can kill a human in a minute).

"This deadly stuff is traipsed around the country to Sellafield," he said.

Campaigners expressed alarm over the ongoing arrival of nuclear waste in Cumbria, particularly via some rail routes that have seen recent derailments, such as at Grange over Sands.

DRS said that nuclear materials have been safely transported by rail since 1962 without any radiological release incidents.

Additionally, its open-day events aid charities, community projects, and good causes country-wide.

The last one, held in Crewe in 2022, raised over £39,000 for these deserving projects.

Nevertheless, Radiation Free Lakeland's voices have been echoed by the Nuclear Free Local Authorities and Highlands against Nuclear Transport/Power.

Both have been involved in sending letters outlining safety concerns to senior DRS directors.

Campaigners will be handing out leaflets outside the DRS depot from 10.30am during the event.

Gates at DRS’s Kingmoor depot will open at 10am for the public to attend on Saturday, July 6 and close at 4pm.