The winners of the ninth annual Veterinary Awards - dubbed the "vet Oscars" - have been announced by
pet insurance provider Petplan.
Celebrating outstanding care in the field of pet care, the awards offer accolades to exceptional veterinarians and their assistants who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to keeping the nation's animals in good health.
The coveted Vet of the Year award went to Brian Faulkner of Melton Veterinary Surgery in Woodbridge.
Louise Baker of the Priors Leaze Veterinary Centre, Chichester, took the Vet Nurse of the Year Award, while Margaret Gait of Cinque Ports Veterinary Associates, Lydd, took the best receptionist gong.
The overall vet practice of the year was said to be the Orwell Veterinary Group in Ipswich, which was noted for a "high level of customer care, staff's dedication to continued professional development and the emphasis on developing strong client relationships".
Such announcements follow a recent report by Datamonitor which found that the cost of pet insurance premiums has increased significantly over recent years.
InsureandGo's
pet insurance policies provide cover for the costs of veterinary care.