THE latest series of TV hit all Creatures Great and Small will air next week but there's mounting concern that many local viewers from parts of North Yorkshire and the North East and even in James Herriot's home town won't be able to see it.

Filmed earlier in the year in the Yorkshire Dales the series, featuring leading celebrities, will start on Channel 5 at 9pm on Thursday September 16. But with the Bilsdale transmitter down many people still cannot get reception unless through the internet.

"It does seem a real shame," said one 85 year old resident in Northallerton. "I enjoyed the last series and was looking forward to this one but I haven't been able to get any TV for weeks. It is bad, especially when James Herriot is from Thirsk."

The series is based on the best selling books of renowned author Alf Wight, a vet in Thirsk who wrote about his life and times in North Yorkshire in the 1930's. The James Herriot he created became the best known vet in the world.

The TV series starring Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot, Sam West at his boss Siegfried Farnon and Rachel Shenton as farmers daughter Helen Alderson has been a huge hit. The new episodes also star Patricia Hodge as the eccentric owner of spoilt Pekingese dog Tricki Woo, replacing the late Dame Diana Rigg who died last year.

Most filming has been done in Grassington, near Skipton, but with some in Thirsk where local museum the World of James Herriot is based. Managers say the series has been a big boost for them particularly after the lockdowns and restrictions of the pandemic. Kate Pawlett, centre manager said: "After seeing the first series a lot of people go to Grassington to see where the filming was done and then come to Thirsk where James Herriot worked to find out more about his life and the world he lived in.

"The crew and cast did come to Thirsk to film at the local Ritz cinema which is preserved pretty much as it would have been in Alf Wight's day. Nicholas Ralph and Rachel Shenton came in to see us and to have a look round the museum which was really nice, they were very interested to find out more about the man and the author.

"Social distancing has been difficult and it means we can't get so many people into the museum, but we have had a good summer and we are really looking forward to the latest series on September 16. It is unfortunate that some people won't be able to see it, but hopefully they can catch up later."