A NEWPORT vets is celebrating after winning an appeal against the council to extend its opening hours.

Newport city council's planning department confirmed that Budget Vets on Malpas Road had been successful in its appeal.

The vets had applied to the council earlier in the year to extend its closing time from 6pm to 7pm on weekdays and from 5pm to 6pm on Saturdays.

This was so it could treat any sick animals who remained on the premises.

But the application was refused on April 10 on the grounds that later opening times would cause unacceptable levels of noise and disturbance.

It was also served with a breach of condition notice in July.

Clinic director Peter Heathcote said this led to the surgery having to remove more than 100 consultations to avoid having customers in the surgery after their stated closing times.

More than 500 people signed petitions and leaflets in support of the surgery.