A shrine built in memory of Britain's favourite vet could create a huge strain on parking in a North Yorkshire town.

The World of James Herriot opens in Thirsk in the Spring and councillors are desperately seeking an answer to the expected problems likely to be caused by hundreds of cars and coaches making the pilgrimage to the town.

The centre has seen all sorts of weird and wonderful veterinary contraptions sent to Thirsk to feature in the new £1.4 million centre.

It aims to reflect the life and times of the vet, complete with the equipment which he would have used.

The attraction, based in Kirkgate in the former surgery of the late vet Alf Wight, author of the James Herriot books, is expected to bring a huge boost to the economy of Thirsk.

More than 11,000 fans are already expected to descend on the centre next summer.

But the influx means a massive re-think in car parking provision for the town.

Plans are being drawn up to move the existing coach park out of Millgate and onto the racecourse, and transforming the space for car parking.

But councillors are stressing that this would be only a temporary measure until extra land is found for a greater increase in spaces.

They are looking at several options, including building a new car park in the town centre.

More than 20 extra spaces have already been provided in the Millgate car park.

Members of Hambleton District Council's Herriot Visitor Centre working party have agreed to ask the public protection and emergency committee to approve the move of the coach park.

Pick-up and dropping-off points would be established on The Marage.

Stuart Gill, manager of the World of James Herriot, said: "Moving the coach park will be a last resort and would be only a temporary measure until we can secure alternative car parking spaces, and if that can be done before the centre opens nothing will be changed.

"We have always stressed that the need to provide adequate parking would be resolved before the Herriot Visitor Centre is open to the public and these measures will ensure that."

Centre generated traffic flow is being directed from the main A168 and A19 roads into the town via North Kilvington and Norby.

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