A MAJOR revamp at a North Yorkshire tourist attraction offers budding vets the chance to try their hand at the toughest jobs in the trade.

The first part of a £104,000 overhaul at the World of James Herriot, in Thirsk, includes a chance to try your hand at the challenges faced by real vets.

Visitors will be able to try a spot of horse dentistry, as shown here, and even act as midwife to a fake heifer.

The dentistry feature allows you to check the teeth of a model horse. Once you find the bad tooth, the "animal" will neigh in pain.

Another feature allows visitors to test their strength by trying to haul a new calf out from inside its mother - all thanks to special effects designed by top outfit Freeborns.

Another feature, a wire outline of a sheep, lets you demonstrate a steady hand as you pass an electrical hoop along the frame. If you hit the wire, the "sheep" will bleat.

The fascinating features are part of the new-look veterinary science room, which will help visitors learn about the fabled vet and his profession.

For more details on the centre and its Easter activities, visit www.worldofjamesherriot.org.uk.

Updated: 16:45 Wednesday, April 03, 2002