THE merging of two veterinary companies is expected to produce the largest practice in Herefordshire.

The Ryelands Veterinary Clinic and John Horlock and Associates, both of Leominster, are to merge on June 1 and become known as the Marches Veterinary Group.

Although working from the Ryelands clinic in Ryelands Road, the new practice will serve a wide area by retaining branch surgeries in Leintwardine, Ludlow and Weobley.

Explaining the plans, Andrew Praill and John Horlock, the senior partners of the two practices, said this week: "We feel that by concentrating resources we will be able to provide the best quality and highest value healthcare that the area deserves. We will become, arguably, the largest practice in Herefordshire and as such we are determined to maintain our close personal contacts withour clients."

The vets said that individual specialisation was becoming increasingly important and the merger would allow surgeons, nurses and administration staff to form teams able to concentrate on specific animal groups.

Other factors leading to the merger were the potential effects of changes in medicine regulations, new proposals being put forward by DEFRA, and the implementation of EC working-time legislation.