TOP veterinary ophthalmologist Paul Evans gets a bird's-eye view of building work on Leominster's new state-of-the-art animal hospital, writes JONATHAN LAND.

The Eye Veterinary Clinic, based at Marlbrook, will become the only dedicated centre of its kind in the UK when it is completed in February 2002.

The new hospital will incorporate four consulting rooms and two operating theatres equipped with operating microscopes and support services. Mr Evans, one of Europe's leading veterinary eye specialists, took part in the recent topping out ceremony.

As the site is a gateway to Leominster, careful landscaping will ensure the new hospital blends with and complements the local environment. The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) is offering its help.

Paul Evans and his team have already received world- wide acclaim for their pioneering corrective eye surgery on Boris, a Siberian Eagle Owl, as well as numerous dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, a donkey, a wallaby and a hedgehog.

Each year about 4,000 visitors come from all over the country to the clinic, with most pet owners staying for a minimum of half-a-day while there animal is being treated.

The importance of the centre has been recognised by the Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Trade and with their help a DTI Enterprise grant has been obtained to assist in equipping the new hospital with state-of-the-art technology.

Mr Evans, said: "We are aiming to provide the facilities and the standard of service for our animals on a par with the best provided by our medical ophthalmology colleagues.

"I like to say at the end of each case that I hope that my eyes would be treated similarly if I ever had the same condition."

For more information on the work of the clinic visit the web-site at www.eyevetclinic.co.uk