THE Noddy Train is here to stay, according to a leaked email from BCP Council.

Anger has been growing among Dorset residents at the continued suspension of the Hengistbury Head Land Train following an accident six months ago.

Bournemouth council only took over the service in 2015, amid rumours it planned to replace the old wooden trains with new plastic ones.

However an email to councillors and officers from BCP parks planning manager Ed Alexander promises the old trains are here to stay.

"There are various theories that the withdrawal of the trains was always the council’s aim, however it is, and has always been, our hope to be able to still use the original trains in the long term," Mr Alexander said.

"The future service will however be dependent on the findings and the original trains may require an upgrade if feasible."

The incident in October last year saw a cyclist sustain minor injuries when two carriages broke loose from the land train. A Health and Safety Executive investigation is under way, and until it is concluded the service is suspended.

An online petition calling for the reintroduction of the land train was signed by 2,500 people in less than 24 hours.

HOOT – Hands Off Our Train – was placed on petition site 38 degrees and attracted interest from thousands of supporters.

However anyone hoping for a swift resolution to the probe is likely to be disappointed, the email suggests.

"Our own health and safety team have been in contact with the HSE but not been given any timescales for their investigation," Mr Alexander said.

"As there is still a possibility of action by the HSE against the council, along with an insurance claim, we must ensure any interim measures don’t impact any potential action."

He said the probe would likely continue "through the summer" and the council has trialled "one of the smaller seafront trains" to try to create a temporary passenger service on the headland in the meantime.