A new specialist large animal practice, Norfolk Farm Vets, has been started by two veterinary surgeons.Molly McKay, who is a former assistant veterinary surgeon with the Fakenham-based Wensum Valley practice, started on her own account on Wednesday.

A new specialist large animal practice, Norfolk Farm Vets, has been started by two veterinary surgeons.

Molly McKay, who is a former assistant veterinary surgeon with the Fakenham-based Wensum Valley practice, started on her own account on Wednesday.

She has formed the new practice, which will be based at Grimston, near King's Lynn, with colleague Will Stevenson. They will cover cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and game birds, but not horses or small animals.

Molly, who qualified five years ago, has increasingly specialised in cattle. Although the number of dairy herds in Norfolk has continued to decline, more beef cattle are being kept and especially along the north coast. "I have a passionate interest in preventing disease in cattle," said Molly, who is married to Carwyn Jones, the livestock manager at Houghton Hall.

She qualified at the Royal Veterinary College in 2001.

Mr Stevenson, who qualified last summer, lives at Thornage, near Holt, and has been living in the county for about 20 years.

They are joined by rare breed enthusiast Bridget Pearson, who rejoined the Wensum last year, but is now acting as a consultant with the new practice. She keeps a flock of Castlemilk Moorit sheep at Bayfield, near Holt, and has shown at the Royal Norfolk Show and other events around the region.

"We know that there is the demand for a specialist large animal practice.

We have to offer a 24-hour emergency service as part of our professional duties but we will not be involved with equines or small animals," said Molly.