HOW very fortunate we are in Bolton that two vets, Owen Monie and Gareth Haines, decided to open their not-for-profit Animal Trust veterinary surgery in our town.

This has meant that many people with pets, including myself, would no longer have to pay the very high charges, which have escalated out of all proportion over recent years, for treatment.

Like many owners I also have my pets insured, but the excess charges when making a claim have also risen dramatically, which adds to the overall cost of looking after your pet.

Before I retired, my job involved transporting people and their pets to veterinary surgeries around the area, which also included going to the PDSA in Manchester and the RSPCA in Salford.

I witnessed the financial sacrifices people went through to obtain affordable treatment for their pets. A dog, cat or bird is sometimes the only companion an elderly person may have and can contribute to their continued wellbeing.

I would not do the amount of walking that I do if it were not for my dogs, which helps to keep me fit and provides me with the motivation.

During the two years the Animal Trust has been in Bolton, the vets have worked hard to bring their idea for affordable treatment for people with pets to fruition and the fact that they have now had to move into larger premises proves this.

Barbara Burgoyne Bolton