Theme park's ad for a Fat Controller banned as discrimination

When zoo bosses decided to invest in a Thomas the Tank Engine train for their young visitors, naturally they wanted a Fat Controller too.

So they decided to advertise for a portly gentleman who might fit the bill.

That's where the problems started.



The zoo's legal advisers warned that advertising specifically for a fat man could be considered illegal.

They told officials at Drusillas Park Zoo in East Sussex that they should not discriminate - and might have to interview a thin man if one applied for the job.

John Midgley, co-founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness, said: "Why on earth should this park, that is trying to do its best to keep faithful to books, that have been enjoyed by generations, be penalised by the politically-correct lobby?"