A DUDLEY vet has been nominated for a prestigious national award.

Brian Hogan of Black's Veterinary Hospital in Dudley has been shortlisted for the title of Vet of the Year in the Petplan Veterinary Awards in recognition of his animal care skills.

Mr Hogan beat tough competition to be shortlisted, as the awards received over 40,000 nominations from around the country.

Celebrating his nomination, Brian said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be a finalist for Vet of the year. I’m so lucky to work with an amazing team of vets, nurses and support staff. When you do something you love, surrounded by like-minded people then it isn’t difficult to go to work. The Black Country people have been fantastic and are the reason why I have stayed here for 23 years.”

Brian was praised by the independent panel of judges for his 'commitment and compassionate approach' and balancing his responsibilities with a personal touch.

Isabella von Mesterhazy, head of marketing at Petplan, said: “The judges had a very tough time picking just three finalists in each category. The quality of entries has been incredibly high and we’re delighted to have received so many nominations from the veterinary community and indeed pet owners themselves.

“The awards recognise outstanding individuals and teams who go the extra mile to care for the nation’s pets. The Petplan Veterinary Awards provide an opportunity to say thank you for the exceptional work carried out by members of the veterinary profession across the country.”

The winners will be announced on April 4.