TOURISM bosses are delighted that a popular vet series has boosted visitor numbers by around nine per cent.

The Yorkshire Vet, on Channel 5, is a documentary based on the original All Creatures Great and Small veterinary practice in Thirsk, at the heart of Herriot Country.

The Skeldale Veterinary Centre, where James Herriot based his famous books, is the focus of the second six-part series that began on Tuesday, April 12.

The World of James Herriot team in Thirsk is delighted by the news of the scheduling, having appeared in several episodes.

The series includes large amounts of coverage of the area and is very timely, as the Herriot Country Tourism Group recently re-launched in order to regenerate the area’s tourism offer.

“This is fantastic news for the World of James Herriot in the 100th anniversary year of James Herriot’s birth," said Ian Ashton, World of James Herriot managing director.

"It’s also a boost for the Herriot Country Tourism Group in this part of Yorkshire because there are so many people who have been inspired by the original James Herriot books, TV series and films of All Creatures Great and Small and we are delighted that Daisybeck Productions and Channel 5 have produced another series."