A Stoke veterinary practice is opening its doors to the public and their pets for a special open evening in April that will offer a behind the scenes look at all the facilities and equipment it uses to keep local pets happy and healthy.

The event will take place at Harrison Family Vets in Longton on Tuesday 7th April, from 5pm until 8pm, and is open to pet owners, existing clients, families and anyone else who is curious about veterinary care and the workings of a modern veterinary practice.

Children can experience a specially designed 'junior vet' adventure and there will be numerous other interactive activities including a special paw-print treasure hunt around the practice.

In addition, children can meet and have pictures taken with Stoke City Football Club's famous club mascots - the pair of hippos affectionately known as Pottermus and Pottermiss - whose shirts are sponsored by Harrison Family Vets.

Light refreshments, including a cone of chips for every visitor from Nemo'z Fish & Chips next door, will be served during the evening and everyone attending will be entered into a raffle where they can win a variety of prizes including four tickets to see Stoke City vs Blackburn Rovers, as well as a signed Stoke City FC shirt and football.

Harrison Family Vets is an independent and family-owned veterinary group that expanded into Staffordshire last year, with the aim of offering high quality vet care at affordable prices, following a £500,000 investment in its cutting-edge veterinary practice, on Longton's Anchor Road Retail Park.

The practice features an innovative waiting area with bespoke pods that are designed to minimise stress and anxiety by offering a private space for pets and their owners. There are also separate dog and cat wards featuring advanced Casco Wellpet kennels equipped with built-in heat pads, mood lighting and music therapy for relaxation, as well as four vet consulting rooms, two nurse consulting rooms, a dental suite, a digital X-ray suite, operating theatre and ultrasonography unit.

The event is £1 for adults, to cover entry into the raffle, and free of charge for children. Everyone is welcome and you can reserve your place online at Harrison Family Vets' open evening.

Matt Humphrey is Clinic Director at Harrison Family Vets in Longton. He said: "It's a year since we opened in Longton and we're continually asked about what goes on behind the scenes and all the state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that we use.

"We've therefore decided to open our doors, with this first of its kind event, and welcome the local community to come and find out how a successful veterinary practice works.

"It will be a great opportunity to find out what a day at the vets really looks like, ask questions and meet our team who care for local pets every day, as well as learning about preventative healthcare. There will also be lots going on for children, so it's not to be missed and anyone interested should reserve places now to avoid disappointment."

Harrison Family Vets launched in 2021, opening its first practice in Woodley near Reading before expanding into Kingswinford at the start of 2022. Since then, the family-owned group has opened in Manchester, Middlesbrough, Doncaster, Wigan, Leeds, Stoke and Sheffield.