A veterinary team is preparing to move into a larger, purpose-built practice. Ashlands Veterinary Centre is relocating to a new, modern facility on Leeds Road in Ilkley.

The move follows 25 years of service from a converted house further along the same road.

Ben Ogden, practice manager at Ashlands Veterinary Centre, said: “Everybody is very excited because the new hospital will transform our way of working.

“Clients are going to see huge improvements in facilities, and it will be much better for pets coming to the practice for treatment.”

The new 4,823 sq ft building is twice the size of the current premises and includes the latest veterinary equipment and technology.

It features five consulting rooms, one specially for cats, as well as three operating theatres, a dental suite, ultrasound facilities, and x-ray equipment.

There are also separate waiting areas and wards for cats and dogs, along with a dedicated quiet room for owners during difficult or emotional times.

Mr Ogden said: “We have spent 25 years in a converted house and by the end we were tripping over each other as we grew out of the building 10 years ago.

“Moving into a purpose-built, much bigger facility will be a huge advantage and there will be more scope to better care for pets.”

He said the ability to separate cats from dogs in the waiting area would make a big difference to patient comfort.

He said: “Being able to keep cats separate to dogs in the waiting room will be much less stressful for them, and we will also have cat-only consult rooms.

“A lot of careful planning and thought went into the new practice, and it is a really exciting time for everyone now it is finally happening.”

The new site will begin welcoming clients, both new and returning, from this month.

Ashlands Veterinary Centre also serves the surrounding areas with branches in Glusburn and Skipton.