A TELEVISION series filmed at the original James Herriot veterinary practice in Thirsk has proved such a hit that a new series and Christmas special have already been recommissioned.

The Yorkshire Vet follows day-to-day life at Skeldale Veterinary Centre, where the James Herriot author, Alf Wight, was a partner.

Television audiences were first introduced to the main characters at the veterinary practice in September last year, when the first programme was aired on Channel 5. Local animal-owners and vets have all featured in the programmes.

Stars of the show, vet Julian Norton and former Herriot trainee Peter Wright, and their varied animal antics have also proved popular with viewers, who have seen everything from newborn kittens and spring lambs to the castration of a herd of Alpacas.

Tourism in the Thirsk area has also increased as a direct result of the programme showing off the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside.

The practice’s original premises on Kirkgate – which was also Alf Wight’s former home – now houses an award-winning visitor attraction, The World of James Herriot. It was bought by Hambleton District Council in 1995 when Alf Wight died and the original living quarters and sets were recreated inside. In 2012 it became a privately-owned company and has continued to increase visitor numbers.

Staff have been delighted with the television documentary and have even appeared in an episode.

The series has pulled in an average of 1.3m viewers for Channel 5 for the last nine weeks and will bow out on Tuesday at the end of series two.

When it returns in the autumn for another ten episode run and a Christmas special it will mark the centenary of James Herriot's birth and show narrator Christopher Timothy, who played Herriot in the hit drama All Creatures Great and Small will be back. There will be some show surprises to mark the anniversary.

Yorkshire Vet Julian Norton, said: “We are all delighted to be filming for series three and also a Christmas special. It has been amazing to see the support for series two and the viewing figures so good.

“We have some great stories lined up for when we return and wonderful to know that the viewers have stayed with us and have followed our animals stories with such interest.”

The final episode will see a donkey being castrated, vet Peter brings his work home when he adopts Kevin the duck and a cute litter of kittens are expected to melt viewers’ hearts.

* The final episode of The Yorkshire Vet is on Channel 5 at 8pm on Tuesday.