THE WRITER behind the long-running television series Heartbeat has died.

Former rural police officer Peter Walker wrote approximately 130 books based on his experiences of nearly 30 years policing in rural North Yorkshire.

The Northern Echo:

Former police officer and author Peter Walker has died. The writer's books inspired the long-running television series Heartbeat

Mr Walker, who wrote under the pen name of Nicholas Rhea, was a prolific writer, penning crime novels and stories of the legends and folklore of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales.

The Northern Echo:

Former Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police Grahame Maxwell (second from right) during a photocall on the set of Heartbeat in Goathland, North Yorkshire, with, from left, Rupert Ward-Lewis, Joe McFadden, Stephen Blakeley and John Duttine

Mr Walker, who wrote under the pen name of Nicholas Rhea, was a prolific writer, penning crime novels and stories of the legends and folklore of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales.

He was most well-known for the Constable stories, which provided the inspiration for the popular television series Heartbeat, which was filmed in Goathland on the North York Moors. Although filming ended in 2009, the series still brings thousands of tourists to picturesque village, which was the setting for the village of Aidensfield. Mr Walker, 80, lived with his wife of 58 years, Rhoda, in Ampleforth.

He leaves behind four children, Janet, Andrew, Tricia and Sarah and eight grandchildren.