A MALTON veterinary nurse has been presented with a national award.

Michelle Coatsworth, who celebrates her 20th anniversary at Mount Veterinary Group later this year, was named Veterinary Nurse of the Year.

The awards were organised by VetPartners, the parent company of Mount Vets, which owns nearly 100 veterinary practices all over the UK. Michelle beat off competition from hundreds of other nurses and was praised by judges for her “outstanding leadership and team work and willingness to take on any challenge”.

She took on extra responsibilities, including ensuring Mount Vets meets the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Practice Standards Scheme requirements, which quality assures practices.

She is also took on the role of processing insurance claims, stock control and auditing. Michelle was presented with her award and has been inundated with well-wishes from clients visiting the practice in Middlecave Road.

She said: “I was absolutely blown away when I heard I’d won the award and it is a real honour.

“I love my job at Mount Vets because the practice is a strong part of the community and I love meeting clients and their pets.

“We have a dedicated team of vets and nurses at Mount Vets and we are committed to the care and treatment of pets.”

Malton born and bred, Michelle attended Malton School – just across the road from the practice.

She previously worked at a quarantine and boarding kennels in Pocklington, before joining Mount Vets as a trainee veterinary nurse in 1999. She qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2003.

Her dad Mike Tipping was a gamekeeper, while her mum Kate worked as a district nurse in Malton. Michelle lives in Norton with her husband Terry, who works for a haulage company, children Jake, 13, and nine-year-old Emma, and their Jack Russell Woody.