A MALVERN veterinary surgery has been named as the national winner of a new business challenge.

The Intervet Lifelong Challenge recognises surgeries that show outstanding commitment to educating pet owners in the importance of animal welfare.

The Avenue Road surgery will receive £500 towards staff training and £250 towards a social event for its 14 employees.

Gaynor Hillier, marketing manager for Intervet UK, said the Lifelong Challenge was a way of strengthening the relationship between the pet supplies manufacturer and individual practices.

The Lifelong Challenge is operated in conjunction with pet health insurers, Pinnacle Pet Healthcare, as a way of promoting the benefits of insuring pets' health to owners.

Wendy Bottomley, practice manager at the Malvern surgery, said its policy was to give pet owners the insurance information when they had their cats and dogs vaccinated and then leave the decision to individuals.

"We are leaving it up to them whether they want to take out insurance or not. We give them the information to take away with them," said Miss Bottomley, adding that the surgery had been "surprised but pleased" at the award.

She did not yet know where the firm's social event would be held, but said it would be sometime soon, to kick off 2002.