A vet at Wellington animal hospital, Cave Veterinary Specialists, has become a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Dentistry.

Annabel McFadzean, head of the dental and oral department at the Linnaeus-owned facility, commuted from Somerset to Swindon for three years to complete her specialist studies.

She also gave birth to her second daughter, Jemima, in December 2022, adding to the challenge of achieving her career's crowning moment this autumn.

Ms McFadzean now holds the title of European Specialist in Veterinary Dentistry.

She said: "I am very happy and proud of what I have achieved, but equally relieved and exhausted.

"My main challenges were commuting from Somerset to Swindon for three years to complete my training programme and juggling a young family, especially as my second daughter was born in December 2022.

"However, the challenge was always highly rewarding and I have loved every minute of it."

Her husband, Will, the clinical director at Cave and a European diplomate in anaesthesia and analgesia, added: "It gives me enormous pride that Annabel successfully passed her practical exam and is now a Diplomate of the European Veterinary Dental College."

The couple celebrated her achievement with a vintage bottle of champagne.