An independent vet is praising the "amazing response" from the community after the rapid growth in its first year of business. 

Flo Scott opened Dereham Vets in Shipdham Road last year, believing the area would benefit from an independent practice. 

Starting with a team of six, the practice's staff roster has already more than doubled in size to 16, including five vets, to keep up with the number of new patients registered.

Director Flo Scott (Image: Sonya Duncan) Mrs Scott, 33, says the practice is going "from strength to strength, with a great reputation."

She added: "We knew there was the need for an independent practice in Dereham providing its own out-of-hours service, but we didn't expect such an amazing response."

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Being independent means the practice can provide a more flexible and personal service, setting its own pricing, and can quickly respond to and implement feedback from clients and staff members.

 In addition to veterinary care, the practice offers physiotherapy sessions and evening puppy classes with a dog trainer. 

A vet and nurse are always on call outside of normal working hours for any pet emergencies.

Dereham Vets is located in Shipdham Road (Image: Sonya Duncan) The challenge the team now faces is to make sure they keep planning well in advance to keep up with the rapid growth of the business and to ensure their standards remain high.

But Mrs Scott says she hasn't looked back since opening the practice and praises her team as a key factor in their success. 

"It's hard work at times," she says, "but I have a great team supporting me and helping the practice to run smoothly.

"It's been a brilliant start and we're now focussing on maintaining our high standards of care and customer service, as we grow."

The practice is currently taking on new clients - more information can be found at dereham-vets.co.uk