THE largest integrated veterinary services provider in the UK has unveiled a plan to launch a hospital for animals just yards from where the vet behind the James Herriot novels worked.

CVS Group, which owns more than 460 veterinary surgeries in in the UK and Netherlands, has applied to Hambleton District Council to convert the former Black Lion pub premises overlooking the market square in Thirsk.

Documents submitted to the authority state CVS would employ ten full-time and ten part-time staff at the veterinary centre, which is close to The World of James Herriot veterinary museum, at the former home and surgery of vet and author Alf Wight. The plans also state the firm is seeking approval for the change of use to the premises before buying the property.

A spokesman for CVS said: “The proposal is for a new veterinary hospital which provides 24-hour care and emergency out of hours appointments, of a ad-hoc nature. This would be staffed by two overnight employees.”