The winners of this year's Best UK Vet Award have been announced. They include a 145-year-old vets practice embracing the digital age with outstanding online reviews, a mobile vet in the Isle of Wight and a new start up only four months old that works with homeless charities.

The awards, organised by VetHelpDirect and running for the seventh year, are based on genuine pet owner reviews of veterinary practices around the United Kingdom.

The winner of this year's Best UK Vet went to Swanspool Veterinary Clinic, Wellingborough Northamptonshire, who received a huge 1102 positive four and five star reviews from their customers over the last year.

The award was presented to Swanspool at a celebration held at The Hind Hotel, Wellingborough. The evening was attended not only by the staff of the practice but the clients who had given the vets such great reviews. The local Mayor of Wellingborough, Malcolm Ward, also gave a toast celebrating the win.

Oliver Sheldon, Partner at Swanspool, said: “Ever since Swanspool Veterinary Clinic first opened it's doors in 1874, we have been providing veterinary care for the local farmers, small holders and pet owners alike.

"In that time we have seen many trends come and go; from potbellied pigs to micro pigs and alpacas to meerkats. There are many battery-hens retired to the countryside, and koi carp languishing in garden ponds.

"Much of the appeal of veterinary medicine is keeping up with the demands of our clients, and being in a position to pass on our knowledge and expertise (or learning along with them in some exotic cases!)

"Variety is the spice of life and as such we all enjoy the daily challenges the small holders present us with! This spring is surprisingly busy with lambings and calvings, whilst we can look forward to foalings and fertility soon to follow. Swanspool is one of the few remaining mixed practices in the area and with our diverse team of vets will continue to be so for many years to come.”

Susie Samuel, managing director of VetHelpDirect.com commented: "When animal owners are searching for a vet they want a professional, clean, friendly practice that is good value for money, delivers top customer service and that will above all care for their pet or animal. This is why word of mouth is so important both for local pet owners and farmers. Authentic online reviews give all animal owners a genuine feel for the practice and help them to find a trusted, local vet more easily. We are proud to be able to reward those that are at the top of their league and receive the most positive reviews. "

Customer quotes about the practise included: “From reception to the dispensary, all staff are professional yet friendly. I could never thank them enough for what they have done for my pets and me over the years and I know it’s all in a day’s work for them; they are highly valued ”, and “Best vets we have ever used!”

The practice in second place winning Silver was St Anne's Veterinary Group from Eastbourne, East Sussex and Bronze was awarded to Lakeview Veterinary Surgery from Deal, Kent, which also won Best Small Practice.

The Best New Start Up, a new category introduced this year, was won by The Liverpool Vets, an independent community veterinary practice only set up in Nov 2018 by Danielle Greenberg. This specialist practice looks after pets in Liverpool and works with local charities, including treating dogs belonging to homeless people.

The Top 25 can be found below

AWARD PRACTICE

GOLD Swanspool Veterinary Clinic

SILVER St Anne's Veterinary Group

BRONZE (and Best Small Practice) Lakeview Veterinary Surgery

4th Withy Grove Vets

5th (and Best Northern Irish Practice) Ashwood Veterinary Clinic

6th White Cross Vets, Manchester - Walkden

7th White Cross Vets, Liverpool - Gateacre

8th Kernow Veterinary Group - Churchend Vets St Austell

9th Vets 1 Group

10th Kingsteignton Veterinary Group - Newton Abbot

11th Medivet The Vets Sutton Farm

12th Strathmore Veterinary Clinic

13th Kernow Veterinary Group - Pelyn Vets St Austell

14th Monument Vets, Redruth

15th (and Best Equine Practice) Ridings Equine Vets

16th (and Best Scottish) Lamond Veterinary Clinic

17th Cambridge Veterinary Group

18th The Mewes Veterinary Clinic

19th Kernow Veterinary Group - Harleigh Vets Bodmin

20th Bridgnorth Veterinary Centre

21st St George's Vets - Stourbridge Vets 2 You mobile surgery

22nd Kernow Veterinary Group - Pelyn Vets Lostwithiel

23rd White Cross Vets, Wolverhampton

24th Pennard Vets - Tonbridge

25th (and Best Mobile Vet) Mobile Vet Ltd