DONATIONS to a special trust set up in the name of world renowned vet and author James Herriot have been pouring in to help train veterinary nurses.

The James Herriot Foundation Trust has been given major donations from veterinary supplies company Vetsonic Ltd, from Malton and Skeldale Veterinary Surgery, stars of the recent Yorkshire Vet TV series.

The World of James Herriot centre, based in Thirsk, launched the appeal when a new James Herriot Statue was erected in the town as a tribute to Alf Wight, author of the books about the life of a country vet, which inspired two films and the long-running and TV series All Creatures Great and Small.

Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot, said: “The aim is to provide bursaries for people wishing to embark on a career in veterinary nursing and for whom the James Herriot stories may well have been an inspiration.

"These major corporate donations are helping to develop the vision of supporting veterinary nurses and allow us to begin issuing the first bursaries in 2016 which also marks the 100th anniversary of Alf Wight’s birth.”

The Trust began with a generous bequest made to the Friends of the World of James Herriot by the late Thomas Frank Blinks, who lived in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, and was a life member of the Friends. Fundraising is now a continuing part of the centre’s activities to ensure that the veterinary nurses of the future can apply for support from the Foundation Trust.

In the meantime, they have launched a series of Awards to Veterinary Nurses at a range of colleges and universities with the James Herriot Award for Best Student Improvement presented at Askham Bryan College York, Sheffield College, Hartpury College Gloucester, Durham College and Plumpton College.

Jim Wight and Rosie Page, son and daughter of Alf Wight, said: “This is a unique opportunity to support young people who wish to become veterinary nurses.

"Our father would be proud to be associated with this initiative and it is timely that the first bursaries will be issued in his 100th anniversary year.”

To find out more go to http://www.worldofjamesherriot.com/the-james-herriot-statue/ where there is information about the bursaries and awards and how to make a donation to the Trust.