A STATUE of the vet who wrote the James Herriot books is set to be unveiled, after being approved by his children.

Acclaimed sculptor Sean Hedges Quinn, who has previously immortalised Dad's Army's Captain Mainwaring, footballing legends Sir Bobby Robson and Bob Stokoe, has completed a figure of Alf Wight after almost a year of research and crafting.

The £60,000 statue will be unveiled in James Herriot Hall at Thirsk Racecourse, on Saturday, October 4, followed by a black tie dinner and auction to raise the remaining £30,000 to fund the artwork and to create a bursary, to help students through veterinary college.

Ian Ashton, the World Of James Herriot museum's managing director, said the author's children, Rosie Page and Jim Wight had been overwhelmed when they saw a life-size clay likeness of their father on a visit to Mr Hedges Quinn's studio in Suffolk.

Mr Ashton said the sculptor, who had read the Herriot series, watched films and studied photographs, was due to cast the 5ft 10in model in bronze, before starting work on a statue of Margaret Thatcher that will be displayed in the Falkland Islands.

The statue will be placed in the garden at the museum, the vet's home and surgery, on July 18, to mark the 75th anniversary of Mr Wight's arrival in Thirsk.

The legacy projects were launched after life member of the Friends of the World of James Herriot, Thomas Blinks, of East Sussex, left the museum a £25,000 bequest.

Mr Ashton said he believed the statue would be the centre's "jewel in the crown".

He said: "I am sure Alf Wight would have been very proud about what we are trying to achieve about his legacy with the bursary and statue, which will be there for at least 100 years."

Mr Ashton said 27,000 visitors had been to the Kirkgate museum this year, a rise of eight per cent on 2012/13, adding there had been an increased number of coach parties and school trips.

The Herriot Country Tourism Group took over the running of the museum in 2012 from Hambleton District Council, after a sharp drop in visitor numbers, to give the attraction more commercial freedom and allow it to work more closely with other businesses.

For details about donating or the fundraising dinner, visit worldofjamesherriot.com