A vet is asking former regulars of a well-known pub for their memories ahead of the building's conversion into an animal hospital.

The Magdalen Arms, on the junction of Church Lane and Magdalen Way, Gorleston, has been closed for more than two years. Now, The Veterinary Surgery, currently based in Beccles Road, also in the town, is in the process of converting the pub before it relocates in the autumn.

Elissa Norman, the clinical director at The Veterinary Surgery, said: 'We were looking for a bigger building with more parking and this site came up.'

She said the clinic, which is a branch of the Norfolk-based CVS group, has outgrown its current location and had been looking to expand and offer more services.

'I have lived on the estate for a while now and always loved the building, it is beautiful.

'I'm quite keen if anyone has any more information about the pub, or memories of it, to get in touch so we can put together a history of the building.'

There were fears the 1950s building could be demolished and have housing built on the site.

The surgery's current building on Beccles Road is another former pub – The Highlands.

Ms Norman said pubs made good vets clinics as they are public buildings so have good access, parking and central locations.

The 66-year-old building is the last survivor of the three pubs on the Magdalen. It was built in 1954 and features Dutch gables, as well as the falcon logo of Lacon's Brewery incorporated into the brickwork and a clock.

The borough council granted change of use permission in June last year.

The planning officer's report stated there was little chance of it being brought back into use as a pub.

The clinic will have four consulting rooms, two operating theatres and more kennel space.

To share your memories or knowledge of the history of the Magdalen Arms pub, write to: The Veterinary Surgery, 221 Beccles Road, Gorleston, NR31 8DZ