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

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 re-location 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, 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 the new exhibits will add a new dimension to visits. They will 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."

Another veterinary science room has been added to the existing three. New interpretative panels have been installed, along with four interactive animal models to 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.