A KENNEL business that cares for homeless cats and dogs now has its own vet.

Sue Bielby, who has worked for the Gilmoor Veterinary Group in Durham, for 15 years, has joined the Deerness Kennels in Mill Lane, Langley Moor.

Deerness has 68 kennels and is used by Durham City Council's dog wardens and animal welfare charities, including the RSPCA.

Working with her husband John, who is practice manager, Mrs Bielby hopes to make finding a home for the kennels' residents easier by offering health checks and vaccinations.

Mr Bielby said: "We are aiming to provide a cost-effective service for the cats and dogs here.

"We are working with the RSPCA, the Dogs Trust - formerly the National Canine Defence League - and other agencies to try to improve the chances of rehoming the animals here.

"For the animals that are fortunate enough to be re-homed we can do a health check for the new owner on site, vaccinations, micro-chipping and neutering."

Mrs Bielby said the new service could take the worry out of vets bills for an abandoned animal. For details, call (0191) 378 0439.