A TOURIST attraction has celebrated an impressive milestone.

The World of James Herriot centre, in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has welcomed its 300,000th visitor.

The £1.4m attraction opened in 1999. To celebrate its fifth birthday this spring it underwent a £100,000 revamp, when a new interactive gallery opened.

Earlier this month, it won the Yorkshire Tourist Board White Rose Award as Best Visitor Attraction (under 100,000 visitors a year).

It is also in the running for Best Attraction in the York Tourism Bureau awards next month.

The chairwoman of Hambleton District Council, Councillor June Imeson, was on hand to welcome the 300,000th visitor.

Alison Pagett, of Cumbria, was visiting with her husband, Allan, and their two boys, Sam and Adam. Also with them was the boys' grandfather, Dick Collins.

The family was presented with a souvenir pack of James Herriot books.

Published: 30/10/2004