A BOOK offering viewers a look behind the scenes of an iconic North television series will be launched later this month.

Fans of Heartbeat, the North Yorkshire-based Sixties police drama, are being promised a book that will lift the lid on the programme's locations, music and story lines.

The ITV show, which has run for 17 series and more than 350 episodes, is inspired by the novels of Nicholas Rhea, which have become known at the Constable books.

First aired in April 1992, the show is set in the fictional North York Moors town of Ashfordly.

Many scenes are filmed in the real-life moors village of Goathland, near Whitby.

The author, former North Yorkshire Police inspector Peter Walker, writes a weekly column in The Darlington and Stockton Times, under his famous pen name.

Mr Walker was honoured for his services to Yorkshire, at the Yorkshire Rural Awards, in May.

Judges praised his "years of hard work and dedication to his craft".

He said at the time: "I was most surprised and delighted to receive this wonderful award.

The awards are highly significant because they reflect the work, skills and enterprise of people within the county. I feel extremely proud and honoured to be included."

Mr Walker has written more than 130 books, and remains involved in Heartbeat's production, in a consultancy role.

His latest offering, a tribute to the show his novels helped to create, promises to delve deep behind the scenes, both in the studio and on location, meeting the people and places which have contributed to the series' popularity.

Illustrated with photographs taken on set over the many years and charting the colourful characters, including scores of British television's best known faces, Heartbeat The Story Behind the Series', goes on sale from September 30, priced at £6.99.

Actress Tricia Penrose, who plays the Aidensfield Arms' popular barmaid, Gina Ward, in the show, will sign copies of the book, at a Sixties-themed launch event, in WH Smith, in York, on October 11.

For more information, visit mortonsbooks.co.uk