DEDICATED vet Sasha Farr has been shortlisted in a national competition to find the Vet of the Year.

Sasha, a senior vet at Wilson's Veterinary Surgery in Bishop Auckland, has been named as one of the three finalists in the Petplan Vet of the Year competition.

Competition bosses have been scouring the country to find the best nurse, vet, receptionist and practice for the past four months.

Sasha, who qualified in New Zealand, said she was overwhelmed when she found out she was shortlisted.

She said: "I was absolutely and completely overwhelmed when they rang to tell me.

"This is not about me, it is about the practice.

"If I wasn't a member of a good practice this would not be possible.''

Sasha has been praised for her dedication. She has been at the Tenter Street based practice for three years and specialises in reproduction, successfully helping animals which had previously been unable to breed.

She also has specialist skills in orthopaedic surgery and spends time producing information leaflets and giving talks on animal health care.

The winner of the competition will be announced on April 3.

If Sasha is successful she will win a trophy and £1,000 in Virgin vouchers.