A new adaptation of James Herriot's cherished collection of stories, All Creatures Great and Small, starts tonight and Tony Marshall and friend Trevor Griffiths, both former Echo staff who have collected Second World War military vehicles for more 40 years, were approached in the 1980s by the company producing the first TV series of All Creatures Great and Small.

The production crew wanted to use their Second World War Willys Jeep in an episode where it was to be driven by a young farmer, named Billy, and the scene involved a bull chasing the vets up a tree.

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Finghall Station, and a photograph featuring Christopher Timothy, who played the role of James Herriot from 1978 until 1990

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On the set with All Creatures Great and Small

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Preparing for 'the vets up a tree' shot

Tony said: “We were persuaded to give it a try – and as Trevor and I worked together, it was decided that I would be the first to go. So on a lovely sunny day I joined the production crew in a field just outside the village of Spennithorne.

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Ready for film action

“Already there was an enormous bull and a young cow. The cow had been two hours in make-up when I arrived, but the bull was just hanging about with the rest of us. In fact I found myself leaning on it at one point.

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One of the cows 'in make up'

“I was called to give the actor playing Billy a brief driving lesson in the Jeep and he was pretty bad. After a few stern words from me, he did improve a little and we were able to struggle through his scenes without any further stress.

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Farmer Billy takes the wheel of the Jeep

“A further days’ filming took place in Askrigg, outside the Drovers pub. This was a fair old early morning drive from Darlington, in a vehicle that does 45 mph and nine miles to the gallon. Still it all went smoothly and we thought that was it.

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Outside the Drovers in Askrigg

“The following year we were summoned again and our Jeep became a ‘continuity’ vehicle, for the new vet Callum, played by Scottish actor John McGlynn. This meant it would be used throughout the whole series.

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Actor John McGlynn posing in the Jeep

“Prior to filming, John came to see us in Darlington and I took him to the car park opposite the old Sherwoods Garage, now Drive, in Chesnut Street, to give him a few tips and he did okay.

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Farmer Billy in the Jeep

“This started a lengthy involvement in the series and Trevor and I alternated work with the show, for another two years, which saw us visit some of the more scenic areas of the Dales often in dreadful weather.

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Trevor (left) and Tony (right) at Marne Barracks Army Families Day with another vehicle

“The cast were very friendly and welcoming and the food was excellent, but the days were long and you never really knew when you were likely to finish. “But it was great fun and we have worked on a couple of other things since, but not for such a long period.” If you would like to share your photos and memories with Echo readers, email jo.kelly@newsquest.co.uk

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A Bedford OB bus which appeared in the television series

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James Herriot's car

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Bit of surgery for the television

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Finghall Station, featuring Christopher Timothy

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The Jeoo in action

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Keeping a tight grip

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"Farmer" Billy with the Jeep