MUCH-LOVED vet James Herriot is continuing to conquer the world – some 45 years after his first book was published.

Russia is among the many countries that took the works of author Alf Wight to heart and his books and TV series continue to be highly popular over there.

And he’s being paid the ultimate Russian tribute – with one of the leading natural history museums in Moscow staging an exhibition of Herriot memorabilia.

Representatives of the World of James Herriot centre in Thirsk have been invited and will be travelling to the Russian city on February 15 where they will meet museum officials and Herriot fans including Maria Scheglova, head of the English Club of Fans of James Herriot Moscow.

News of the exhibition reached the centre’s managing director Ian Ashton from the director of the State Darwin Museum in Moscow, Anna Kliukina, who forwarded photographs of the opening and a range of other images of the exhibits that have been prepared and displayed.

“We are extremely honoured that this exhibition has been staged and delighted to have been invited to visit,” said Mr Ashton.

“It’s amazing how many followers we have in Russia and shows just how far and wide James Herriot’s stories have reached around the world.”

Alf Wight himself visited Russia when he accompanied a boatload of sheep there in 1961. He included the story in one his books – “The Lord God Made them All,”

Mr Ashton added: “The Russian people are so enthusiastic about everything Herriot and we’ve had many Russian visitors coming to visit the area and see the places that Alf Wight based his books on.

“We never expected such a fabulous exhibition but it is important that we continue to develop this relationship and make the trip to Russia.”

He will be accompanied on his visit by the centre’s PR manager John Gallery and appointments have been arranged with several members of the Russian fan club and officials at the Darwin State Museum.

Mr Gallery said: “We are making the effort to learn Russian greetings and etiquette before we go and we will be presenting gifts from Herriot Country to our hosts.”

He added: “We are also gearing up for the cold weather and have purchased Herriot branded ‘ushanka’ fur hats to help us cope with the temperature.”