A POPULAR museum based on the life of North Yorkshire’s most famous vet has re-opened after a Spring clean.

The World of James Herriot, in Thirsk, closed for seven days to allow staff to carry out an overhaul of the exhibits and building.

Based on Kirkgate the centre run by Hambleton District Council opened 11-years ago and it opened for the new year last Tuesday. (jan 19) Alison Scurrah, centre manager, said: "Everything that could be moved, washed, polished, dusted and hoovered has been - and a lick of paint was also applied where it was needed,.

"It is very difficult to give any of the rooms a thorough clean when the centre is open every day of the year.

"The weeks following Christmas are traditionally a quiet time so we decided to close for a week.

"All the staff put on their rubber gloves and got stuck into the cleaning - and without the help of the volunteers we wouldn’t have got through half of the jobs."

A new exhibition has also opened which looks at farming across the years and the Ryedale Folk Museum has supplied tools and memorabilia.

The new display runs until a date to be confirmed in September.

Entry to the centre and the exhibition is £5.75 for adults, £4.50 concessions, £4 for children aged five-15-years and under fives get in free.

The centre is open from 11am until 4pm daily, with the last admission 3pm, with details from 01845-524234 or www.worldofjamesherriot.