Two North Yorkshire television favourites are being brought together with the opening of a new Heartbeat exhibition at the World of James Herriot in Thirsk.
Actor David Lonsdale, best known for playing David Stockwell in the long-running ITV series, will officially open the new visitor experience on Saturday, August 29.
The exhibition will feature memorabilia and artefacts connected to Heartbeat and its creator Nicholas Rhea, the pen-name of former police officer Peter N Walker.
Heartbeat was based on Rhea’s Constable novels and followed life in the fictional North York Moors village of Aidensfield during the 1960s.
Goathland was used to portray Aidensfield on screen, with other locations across the North York Moors and North Yorkshire also featuring prominently.
The programme ran for 18 years and remains a regular fixture on ITV3.
The new exhibition has been installed close to the film showreel area, gardens and replica television studios at the World of James Herriot.
Ian Ashton, managing director of the attraction, said: “I’m delighted that the World of James Herriot has been entrusted with the artefacts of the late Peter N Walker (Nicholas Rhea).
“The opportunity for the World of James Herriot to become the home for his TV series legacy, books and memorabilia is a welcome addition and complements the story of Alf Wight (James Herriot).”
Nicholas Rhea’s daughter Sarah Walker said there was a connection between the two Yorkshire writers long before their stories became television favourites.
She said Alf Wight, whose pen-name was James Herriot, had approached her father for advice about writing stories based on his experiences as a country vet.
Peter had previously had his own idea for stories about a country policeman rejected, but Herriot’s subsequent success encouraged him not to abandon the idea.
His Constable on the Hill was eventually published in 1979.
Sarah said: “We are thrilled as a family to be working with the World of James Herriot to preserve my dad’s legacy alongside the great work they have already done for James Herriot.”
The exhibition will also feature period police motorcycles and photographs relating to Heartbeat.
Mr Ashton said the permanent exhibition would give Heartbeat fans somewhere to revisit memories of the programme alongside the attraction’s existing All Creatures Great and Small displays.
David Lonsdale will officially open the exhibition at 1pm on August 29.
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