A ground-breaking ceremony has marked the start of construction of a new veterinary surgery in Felixstowe.

Independent veterinary practice Ryder-Davies and Partners is relocating its Felixstowe branch from Queen's Road in the town to the nearby site on Garrison Lane.

Suffolk firm Seamans Building have now started work on the practice, with the ground currently being cleared ready for the foundations to be cast.

The state-of-the-art purpose-built practice will feature consulting and diagnosis rooms, advanced imaging facilities, on site laboratory, dental theatre and a surgical suite as well as offices and on-site parking and is expected to bring 20 jobs to the town. 

Dr Joe Steventon, Partner at Ryder-Davies and Partners, said: "We are relocating having had a branch on Queen's Road just round the corner.  

"Our previous location was a much smaller practice in a residential property, which we moved into 40 years ago, but we have outgrown it.

"It's very exciting to be able to build a wonderful purpose-built practice in Felixstowe.

"It will provide a superb space to treat and care for the town's much-loved pets.

"We are really looking forward to seeing the building take shape."

"The design of the new practice is very well thought through, and the overall layout arrangement is superb, and will provide Ryder Davies partnership an excellent facility to care for Felixstowe residents beloved pets for many years to come."

The new practice has been designed by Suffolk architects Hollins.

Associate of the practice, Matt Payne, said: "This has been a really interesting design to work on.

"We have had lengthy conversations with the client about the design of the building and have visited their other practices to get a better understanding of how they work and how the space is used.

"It has been a very enjoyable project to work on and it is great to see work has begun at the site."

Ryder-Davis and Partners, which was established in 1973, has other practices in Woodbridge, Ipswich and Rendlesham.

Work on the new veterinary practice is due to be completed in early 2024.