TWO vets who appeared on a TV show while training to care for animals have made a pilgrimage to the former home of the man who inspired them to take up the job.

Judy Puddifoot and Elly Berry, from the BBC TV series Young Vets, were given a tour of the World of James Herriot, in Thirsk, by children of author and vet Alf Wight.

Jim Wight and Rosie Page also took the newly-qualified vets to Sutton Bank to see views of the countryside where their father worked and where his ashes were scattered.

The pair, who also met the museum’s new mascot, Herriot, a flat-coated retriever puppy, were invited to the centre after it emerged they were James Herriot fans.

Miss Berry, who plans to work in a mixed practice as Mr Wight did, said: "The visit has felt like we have won a prize, it's been so inspirational.

"As I was training to be a vet I read all the Herriot books and they affirmed my decision to carry on."

The museum's managing director, Ian Ashton, said the pair, along with their colleagues in the Young Vets series, were an example of the people the centre hopes to inspire with its recently launched James Herriot Statue and Legacy Fund, an initiative to fund veterinary students through college.