Actor Christopher Timothy backs We Love Shrewsbury campaign

The star of one of Britain's most-loved TV shows has lent his backing to the new We Love Shrewsbury campaign.

Actor Christopher Timothy made his name playing Yorkshire vet James Herriott in the hugely popular All Creatures Great And Small series in the 1970s. However Mr Timothy, who is now 71, has never forgotten his county roots after growing up in Bayston Hill.

He has now backed the new promotional campaign, which is already been supported by England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was born and bred in Shrewsbury.

Mr Timothy, who was born in Bala, north Wales, before moving to Shropshire as a teenager, said he was delighted to be backing the campaign.

He said: "I lived near Bayston Hill from the age of 13 until I was 20 and spent several uneventful years at the Priory Grammar School as well as three years working at Frank Newton's," he said.

After leaving school at 17, he started a three-year apprenticeship at the gentlemen's outfitters, which is on the site now occupied by Marks and Spencer, before applying to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and, following a three-year course, landed a job at the Old Vic.

He said: "I give every support to the We Love Shrewsbury campaign.

"There is so much to celebrate in Shrewsbury, a vibrant town with a rich heritage.

"My Shrewsbury years were filled with laughter and friendships and a singular lack of responsibility – happy days."

Kevin Lockwood, manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: "Christopher is a shining example of someone who has never forgotten his roots here in Shrewsbury.

"His talent and hard work has helped him achieve great success in his career and it is this sort of positive achievement which we want to recognise and celebrate in Shrewsbury."

Hart started his career with Shrewsbury Town where he came through the ranks before his big money move to the Premier League with Manchester City and is still a regular visitor to the town where his parents still live.

By Chris Burn