A NEW honour is being bestowed on the famous North Yorkshire author and vet James Herriot as a train is named after him.

Train operator Grand Central is to name one of its locomotives after the vet who wrote several best selling books while based in Thirsk.

The service will carry passengers from Sunderland, where Grand Central is based, down to London on daily services which call in at Thirsk.

Rupert Brennan Brown, a Grand Central spokesman said: "The idea came from the route that we take.

"There are a lot of people travelling from London through Thirsk on the train who are interested in James Herriot.

"We are interested in working with tourist bodies along our routes. We are a local train operator who is encouraging trade in local tourism ventures."

To tie in with the naming ceremony the World of James Herriot and the Herriot Country Attractions Group is running a competition with local schools.

Every Hambleton primary school pupil is to design a poster to tell people about the newly named train.

The winner will be used throughout the district and on the trains which will run daily from London to Sunderland.

The youngster who designed it will also get to attend the naming ceremony in July.

"We are very excited that Grand Central has agreed to honour one of our most famous sons," said Herriot Centre manager, Alison Scurrah..

"The name James Herriot is going to be at London’s busiest train station every day – and will hopefully bring lots more people into Yorkshire to visit our beautiful county and all its attractions."

For more details on the competition contact the World of James Herriot on 01845-524234.