From Russia with love for star of Dales TV series

She had travelled to the UK from her home in Moscow to visit the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate, only to learn that the event had been cancelled.

But her disappointment was alleviated when Miss Bruevich, a fan of the James Herriot books since her childhood, was given the chance to meet the man who played the Yorkshire Dales vet. Christopher Timothy, who starred in the TV series All Creatures Great and Small, was at the World of James Herriot Museum in Thirsk yesterday after his own appearance at the Great Yorkshire Show was cancelled.

Miss Bruevich, 30, a financial data analyst, said: “It was a great experience meeting Christopher and seeing Yorkshire and I will be the envy of my friends in Russia.

“I was devastated that I had not been able to go to the show, as I have loved animals since I used to visit my grandmother’s farm as a little girl. But this has made up for it in many ways.”

Timothy was also reunited with the Austin Seven he used to drive in the TV series. The car has been restored by Bruce Grange, of Mirfield, who also supplied one of the original cars for the programme.

Timothy said: “Maria was delightful. It was great to meet a fan all the way from Russia and it goes to show how popular the series was.”

Miss Bruevich’s meeting with the actor was organised after tourism bosses at Welcome to Yorkshire and the World of James Herriot learnt of her plight when she contacted the show’s organisers.

Miss Bruevich, who finished a Masters degree in finance and investment at Leeds University Business School last year, is staying with friends in the city before heading to London to see the Olympic Games next month.