OWNERS of sick and injured pets can now access around the clock veterinary care, after a 24 hour service opened in Bolton.

Not-for-profit veterinary group Animal Trust will offer free consultations all day and night, 365 days a year, at its hospital in Lower Bridgeman Street.

The consultations are available to everyone, regardless of their income.

Owen Monie, a vet and group director at Animal Trust, said: “Our ethos at Animal Trust is to drive good animal welfare by keeping fees low. This means that pets are seen when they need to be seen.

“We’ve already seen a shift in the behaviour of pet owners, bringing their pets for treatment before things get bad – which is exactly what we wanted to happen. “Opening the Bolton hospital round the clock now means that pets in distress can be seen immediately, and not have to wait until the next day because of fear of large out of hours fees.”

Animal Trust was started in 2012, by Mr Monie and Gareth Haines.

The group moved into its new Bolton hospital in August and welcomed 2,000 clients during its first month of operation.

The hi-spec hospital in Bridgeman Place, which has the capacity to treat more than 50,000 pets a year, is the biggest centre of its kind in the North West and is staffed by a growing team of vets and nurses.

To help fund the 24 hour service, opening hours at the practice’s other two clinics will change.

Blackburn will open on weekdays only, with clients given access to the Bolton hospital all through the weekend.

The Failsworth clinic will also have similar hours and Bolton access, but will also open from 9.30am to 5pm on a Sunday.

Pet owners can register for attendance at any of the Animal Trust clinics through the group’s website www.animaltrust.org.uk or by calling 01204 527474.