The World of James Herriot attraction opened in North Yorkshire today - with local people being urged to stay away.

The World of James Heriot in Thirsk

The plea came as staff were bracing themselves for an expected flood of visitors to the centre in Kirkgate, Thirsk.

They are expecting at least 60,000 people to flock there during the year, with 15,000 being ferried in by coach operators from across the UK.

The manager of the £1.4 million centre, Stuart Gill, said: "This is a brand new project which we appreciate everyone wants to have a look at.

"But it is open 364 days a year, so there is plenty of time to visit."

Mr Gill said there had been very favourable reactions to the project during its commissioning, and he was looking forward to the public's reaction to it.

The Mayor of Thirsk, Derek Adamson, said he could understand the call to local people, adding: "Nobody has a priority, the visitors are the ones that bring the money in.

"As residents we have got a lot of time to go there." He said many groups of local people had been given conducted tours of the centre before it was fully completed.

To help deal with their expected numbers visitors will be issued with timed "appointment cards", which will also have coupons which can be used at many businesses in Thirsk.

The centre is devoted not only to the life of the famous literary vet, whose real name was Alf Wight and whose old surgery forms part of the building, but also to animal physiology and the history of veterinary science.

Following Wight's death in 1995, Hambleton District Council bought the surgery and the house next door. An appeal for Millennium Commission cash failed, but a public appeal has raised nearly £300,000 towards the project's cost.

The opening today was carried out by council chairman Betsy Walkington, who welcomed the first visitor.

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