Treating all creatures great and small in new TV show The Yorkshire Vet

Castleford-born vet Julian Norton will feature on a new Channel 5 documentary showing him treating creatures great and small.

The programme follows Mr Norton and his team at Skeldale Veterinary Practice in Thirsk, administering medical aid to everything from hamsters to horses, cats, cows and even the odd alpaca.

Mr Norton, 43, grew up on Lumley Street and had his heart set on being a vet from his early teens.

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He said: “My grandparents had pigs and some boarding kennels so I spent a lot of time with animals from a young age. I think that triggered the decision to become a vet.”

He was also inspired by the works of Alf Wight, better known as James Herriot, who used his years of experiences as a vet, including at the rural North Yorkshire practice, to write stories about animals and their owners.

Mr Norton studied at QEGS, in Wakefield, before qualifying as a vet at Cambridge University. He joined the Thirsk Practice in 1997.

He will watch the six-part series with wife Anne and sons Jack, 12, and Archie, 9.

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He said: “The attention on the programme seems to be rapidly expanding which is a bit daunting and I will be anxious about seeing myself on TV.

“We work to a high standard and are proud of our care. We hope the programme will reflect well on the practice and the local area.”

The Yorkshire Vet, produced by Daisybeck Studios, starts on Tuesday at 8pm.