THE first stage of a £100,000 revamp of one of the region's flagship tourist attractions was unveiled yesterday.

The changes to the World of James Herriot Centre, in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, are part of a five-year plan to develop the £1.4m museum for the educational market.

New-look veterinary science rooms have been equipped with interactive games, and the relocation of the tourist information centre to the Market Place means a bigger museum shop has been able to open.

The expansion of the shop will see more retail lines stocked, including country-themed gifts while partnerships with local firms, including the Leyburn Teapottery which produces the exclusive Herriot Teapot, are also to be increased.

Hambleton District Council leader, Councillor June Imeson, said: "This investment will help maintain its status as the leading centre in the history of veterinary science in the UK.

"There is a growing interest in this field and our changes reflect that.

"We hope new exhibits will add a new dimension to visits and show how the art of being a vet changed throughout Alf Wight's 50 years in practice.

"The interactive displays will let visitors see the wide range of skills that were needed to become a vet in a fun and thought-provoking way."

Four interactive animal models now test the skills of visitors - dentristy skills can be tried out on a horse's head and manual dexterity via a "bleating" metal outline of a sheep