CELEBRITY VET Emma Milne, one of the stars of BBC television documentary Vets In Practice, is now permanently treating sick animals in York.

Emma has taken over Willow Grove in Strensall Road, Earswick - a building which once belonged to William Sim, who last July was ordered by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to stop practising until a second hearing in November.

An initial RCVS hearing was told that Mr Sim had turned up at work drunk and had hurled abuse at animal owners.

He has now decided to sell his business to the £4 million turnover York-based Minster Veterinary Practice, in a deal brokered by York solicitors Denison Till, and worth more than £250,000.

Mark Goodman, a Minster Veterinary Practice director, lives with Emma in Naburn - and he invited her to take over Willow Grove as veterinary surgeon.

Emma, 33, was seen by millions as she qualified from vet college and worked at three practices in Cheltenham. Audiences also saw the start of her ill-fated marriage to vet colleague, Joe Inglis, who has since remarried.

Of her relationship with Mark, she said: "He is only the second vet with whom I have had a relationship. It's the circles you move in."

Speaking about her new practice, Emma said: "I'm thrilled because I love York.

"I have already told Mark that if things didn't work out between us I'd want to stay.

"Besides, I have always worked with small practices. I love building a close relationship with clients.

"Already I'm steeped in work. We have taken over the two remaining staff and will soon have a new assistant vet and nurse.

"We also have plans to extend the late opening hours from one night to three.

"Usually, it takes some time for animal owners to get used to an incoming vet, but most people seem to know me from the series which is getting an extra boost just lately on Sky television. It breaks down barriers."

Somehow, Emma will still find time to provide her bebsite service at emmathevet.co.uk

The acquisition means another step in the expansion programme of Minster Veterinary Practice, whose main surgery is in Salisbury Road, off Leeman Road, York.

The oldest vet's practice in York - it was established in 1900 - Minster now has branches in Copmanthorpe, Haxby, an equine branch in Poppleton and a poultry vet's practice in Hereford. The organisation employs a total of 50 people, 24 of them vets.

Mark said: "Our vision is to set up a number of small surgeries around York."

Updated: 11:11 Friday, August 19, 2005