FOR total family entertainment this Easter, head to the award-winning Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire.

The theme park re-opened for the 2008 season on March 15 and those who visit during the Easter holiday will be amongst the first to experience the park's new attraction - Europe's first ever Thomas Land, home to Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends.

The magical island of Sodor has been re-created within Drayton Manor Theme Park for the enjoyment of the young and young at heart.

Thomas Land features 12 wonderful rides based on Thomas & Friends characters, including Cranky the Crane, the Troublesome Trucks and Harold the Helicopter. For a true family experience, parents will be able to go on many of the rides with their children.

There's also a special Thomas the Tank Engine train ride that will take visitors on an enchanting journey around the three-acre attraction.

Thomas Land also boasts a wonderful indoor play arena, café and a shop where fans can choose from a massive range of Thomas & Friends goodies.

But that's not all. Drayton Manor Theme Park is packed with amazing rides, including the incredible G-Force rollercoaster, which takes thrill-seekers through a series of high-banked twists and turns at speeds of up to 70km/h at 4.3 Gs, whilst hanging by the hip.

The Bounty swings high, back and forth above the park's lake, reaching an angle of up to 75 degrees and riders experience sensations of relative weightlessness. Meanwhile, the Drunken Barrels whirls riders into a dizzy, giddy peak as they are transported in one of 12 gyrating barrels.

Also, Maelstrom is the only gyro-swing to make you face outwards while Pandemonium turns your world upside down and Apocalypse is the terrifying stand-up tower drop. Shockwave is Europe's only stand-up rollercoaster and Stormforce 10 is one of the best water rides in the country.

And there's more. Drayton Manor Zoo is home to a huge variety of animals from tigers and leopards, to snakes and spiders, as well as exotic birds, mischievous meerkats and playful penguins. There are also monkeys and primates, tapirs, ostriches and reindeer.

Throughout 2008, rides will operate from 10.30am to 5pm or 6pm, depending on the time of year.

The zoo is open all year, except during certain dates at Easter and New Year. In the run up to Christmas, Thomas Land will be open on selected dates.

For more information, see www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call the 24-hour information line on 0844 472 1950.

Tickets can also be bought by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 472 1960.