VETS Mr Derek Copeland and his wife, Penny, of CVS, Myton Park, Ingleby Barwick were recently presented with a plaque as the winning practice in the British Veterinary Hospital Association practice design competition at the annual BVHA conference in York. This is a nationwide award presented biannually.

The judges, also veterinary surgeons, were impressed with the way the original vision had been translated into reality.

Mr and Mrs Copeland put a lot of thought into the design and layout of the interior of the practice. They wanted to provide up-to-date operating facilities, modern surroundings, comfortable kennels, qualified nursing staff and on-site living accommodation to provide round-the-clock care for in-patients.

All this has been achieved and the facilities are impressive. The three consulting rooms open from a comfortable and spacious waiting room and these all have access to the pharmacy, X-ray department, surgical suite (this includes a glass-sided operating area), intensive care ward and recovery and in-patient wards. Above the surgery is the flat for staff on night duty.

The judges were impressed with the surgery with its excellent site with its large car park, the friendly family atmosphere of the practice and operating facilities of an incredibly high standard for a general practice.

All the interior layout and finish had been designed by the two vets themselves.

As well as being inspected, Mrs Copeland had to give a presentation at the conference describing their reasoning behind the design.

They are both delighted with the award, especially as it is recognition from their peers, although even without the award they knew that their clients loved the practice building.

Mr Copeland said: "It makes a change that a Teesside practice wins such an important award as opposed to the normal large South-East and London-based practices that are normally given these awards."

The centre specialises in small animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and rodents for the Ingleby Barwick, Thornaby, Yarm and Eaglescliffe districts.

Mr and Mrs Copeland live locally with their three children and numerous pets, including a dog, a cat, rabbit, fish and mouse