MOVE over Rolf Harris - this St Annes vet has been in practice for her own TV performance.

Siuna Whitehead, from the Veterinary Health Centre, Alexandra Road, St Annes, answered the call of a wild new TV series Vets To The Rescue which started on BBC 1 on Monday (October 18).

The 32-year-old provides on-the-spot diagnoses during the 30-minute shows from Chester Zoo with vet Trude Mostue - famous for her appearances in top TV show Vets In Practice.

Siuna, who qualified as a veterinary surgeon nine years ago, said: "The programmes aren't live so we've already done all the filming.

"I was scared to begin with, really nervous. But once I remembered why I was there - a vet to see ill animals - I was all right. "The cameras, microphones, lights and so on were foreign to me to start with, but everyone involved got used to them. In the end it was something I thoroughly enjoyed.

"I specialise in exotic creatures and got to see a number of cases, including a parrot who kept plucking its feathers, a tarantula which wasn't moving and a tortoise with a sore bottom!

"If they asked me back for a second series, which depends on the ratings this series gets, then I would do it. But if they don't I've still had a great time filming this one.

"I don't think this will lead to fame and fortune and I don't think I'm the next Rolf Harris - I haven't got the beard for it."

Producer of the show Noleen Doyle said: "The vets provide excellent pet advice and animal anecdotes. But the real stars of the show - the animals - provide the best and most unpredictable entertainment.

"Siuna proved not only to be an excellent consultant and wonderful personality, but also a complete natural in front of the cameras.

"You could say she took to it like a duck to water."

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