A LIFE-SIZED bronze sculpture of Alf Wight, the man behind the James Herriot books, has been unveiled in North Yorkshire.

The official installation of the life-like statute took place at The World of James Herriot museum in Thirsk yesterday (Saturday, March 28). The ceremony was timed to coincide with what would have been his wife, Joan’s 96th birthday and was presided over by the chief executive of VisitEngland, James Berresford.

Also at the ceremony were Jim Wight and Rosie Page, son and daughter of the author and the sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn.

As well as being a tribute to Alf Wight, the statue also forms the focus for the James Herriot Legacy Fund, which has been formed to provide bursaries for young people wishing to join the animal welfare and veterinary sector.

Mr Berresford said James Herriot’s veterinary tales had drawn visitors to the Yorkshire countryside for decades and welcomed the installation of the new statue.

He said: “It is a real honour to be invited to perform the official proceedings with James and Joan’s children and I hope that James Herriot’s legacy continues to attract more tourists to the area who can visit ‘The World of James Herriot’ attraction and even donate funds to his fantastic Legacy Fund.”

Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot, said: “The aim is to provide bursaries for people wishing to embark on a career concerning the welfare of animals, and for whom the James Herriot stories may well have been an inspiration.

“The fund has now reached its target for the statue to be installed and we will continue to raise funds for the Legacy Fund which is a fitting tribute to Alf Wight and his continuing worldwide appeal.”

Other guests invited to the ceremony included June Imeson OBE, the original driving force behind the opening of the World of James Herriot, Hambleton District Councillors Mark Robson and Gareth Dadd, David Shields of Welcome to Yorkshire plus supporters, volunteers and staff from the centre.