TYNEDALE’S Orchard House vets has celebrated the opening of its newest practice in Bellingham.

Orchard House Veterinary Centres already has bases in Hexham and Stocksfield, and was running a mobile service to reach the remote villages of the North Tyne.

But the success of the mobile clinics led its owners to open a Bellingham branch, which has taken up residence in the village’s former police station building.

While the mobile service has now ceased, the practice is in the process of arranging outreach services to Wark and Otterburn.

“We have had really good feedback. With some businesses closing, and banks closing, it’s nice for people to see a new service coming to the village,” said practice manager Hannah Shrimpton.

“We would encourage people to come to the surgery and have a look round, but for those who can’t drive or their pets don’t travel well, that’s what the outreach service will be designed for – we don’t want Wark and Otterburn clients to miss out.

“We want to say thank you to all of our clients for their encouragement with the mobile service and helping us to get Bellingham to the stage it’s at, and being patient while the building work has gone on. We’ve had lots of kind words and encouragement.”

The service at Bellingham is currently offering preventative vaccinations, parasite control and routine appointments.

And in the next few weeks, its lab and operating equipment will arrive so staff can carry out other procedures.