A SUFFOLK vet is celebrating after beign crowned the UK's vet of the year.Simon Clarke, who has run the Highcliff Veterinary Practice in Ipswich for 25 years, only found out that his staff had nominated him for the award about three weeks ago.

A SUFFOLK vet is celebrating after beign crowned the UK's vet of the year.

Simon Clarke, who has run the Highcliff Veterinary Practice in Ipswich for 25 years, only found out that his staff had nominated him for the award about three weeks ago.

But, at a spectacular ceremony in Birmingham, he lifted the title and scooped £1,000 of Virgin vouchers from the award's sponsors, animal insurers Petplan.

After celebrating the night away with wife Marilyn, Mr Clarke returned to work to find his staff had decorated the surgery.

He said it was a 'pat on the back' for the whole team and added: "It's just beginning to settle in now. Obviously I am absolutely delighted and I feel very honoured."

Mr Clarke, from Stutton, said it had been his life-long ambition to become a vet and said success would not change him.

"I enjoy working with animals and I enjoy working with people. I shall just carry on as normal. I've come back down to earth with a bump anyway, because I am working over the weekend!"