A REVAMPED veterinary centre attraction this week celebrated its 250,000th visitor, who had travelled thousands of miles to learn about the great author Alf Wight.

Penny and Bill Taylor were taken by surprise when staff at The World of James Herriot, in Thirsk, named them the lucky visitors.

The couple, from Texas, in the US, were thrilled not only with the status, but also with the chance to meet Jim Wight, a local vet and son of the best-selling All Creatures Great and Small author.

"They couldn't believe it at first. They were delighted and there was a real buzz in the centre," said visitor services officer Janet Watson.

"We get a lot of visitors from overseas who are really taken with the James Herriot stories and want to come and see the original surgery for themselves."

Mr and Mrs Taylor were presented with a set of Herriot books to take home with them after the visit.

The centre, which is created in what was once the surgery and home of Alf Wight, was opened to the public in March 1999.

Tourism manager of Hambleton District Council David Shields was also at the centre on Wednesday to greet the couple.

"This is a landmark for the attraction to see its quarter of a millionth customer walk through the doors," he said.

"Visitor numbers have been as good as expected - we did see a blip in the during the foot-and-mouth epidemic but this year we are definitely back on track."