FOLLOWERS of the cancelled but much-loved television series Heartbeat face another blow – the books that inspired it are also coming to an end.

Nicholas Rhea has penned the last of the popular Constable series – although he has promised his protagonist will be back in another guise.

Constable Over the Hill will be published at the end of this month – the last of 35 books that began with Constable On the Hill back in 1979.

The author made his decision after the Sixties-set ITV series – mainly filmed in Goathland, on the North York Moors – came to an end last year after 18 years and 372 episodes.

The latest book records the hero’s transfer to a new post, which in turn heralds the closure of the rural beat in fictional Aidensfield.

Nicholas Rhea is the penname of former North Yorkshire police inspector Peter Walker, who was the press officer for the force when he retired in 1982, after nearly 30 years of service.

“When Heartbeat came to its sudden end, I felt it wise to bring closure to the Constable series that inspired such a wonderful drama that was enjoyed around the world,”

he said at his home in Ampleforth, near Helmsley, yesterday.

“This means I can explore new ideas for Constable Nick and so this will not be my last-ever book.

“As they say in the world of theatre, the show must go on – and so Constable Nick will continue his busy life in a totally different way in a proposed new series of books.”

The Constable books have been so popular that the first still remains in print, with the most recent publication being in Finland last year.

It has also been published in the US, with serialisations in a variety of magazines and newspapers In 2004, a stage show – Heartbeat the Musical – toured England.

􀁧 Constable Over the Hill will be published by Robert Hale on May 31. The author will be signing advance copies at Holman’s Bookshop in Skinner Street, Whitby, from noon to 2pm on Saturday.