LITERARY vet James Herriot took the limelight at this year's Great Yorkshire Show after publicising the region's characters.

Herriot, whose real name was Alf Wight, has had his life documented by his son and veterinary partner of 25 years, Jim.

The book, The Real James Herriot, allows the hundred of thousands of his fans to understand the man behind the writing, who was often hidden by a natural shyness.

It was published five years after his death.

Jim said: " His books were so successful because they were about other people rather than himself. He was a very modest, shy and retiring man and he did not want to write about himself.

"But he was very much as portrayed in his books and in the TV series All Creatures Great And Small.

"He was a real gentleman."

Jim's book follows his father's life from his birth in Sunderland and early life in Glasgow, before he settled in Thirsk.

He said: "He did not want a biography writing about him, but I warned him somebody would write one and that's what happened.

"His family felt that it was inaccurate, and I think he would have been very pleased that it was me who put the record straight."

Jim was at the show's exhibition stand of the World Of James Herriot Centre, in Thirsk, to sign books.

He said: "My father never got to see the centre before he died, but I am sure he would have been delighted by it.

"He did not like publicity, but he used to say 'If my fame put brass in the pockets of people around here, then that's good'.

"This centre is certainly doing that."

PICTURE: Jim Wight at the Great Yorkshire Show where he was signing copies of his book, The Real James Herriot, about his father