An aspiring vet has been nominated for a prestigious award by a national animal charity.

Emily Lowry, from Romford, has volunteered at the PDSA PetAid Hospital in Danes Road, Romford, for the past three years and is now one of three nominees for the charity’s Young Volunteer of the Year Award.

The 18-year-old A-level student said: “I have made lots of friends at the hospital and if I win I will dedicate my award to them for making me feel so welcome and allowing me to learn so much.”

The award is given to young people who work with the PDSA and have demonstrated an outstanding contribution and commitment to the charity.

During Emily’s three years of service she has developed a number of skills that help the veterinary staff run the hospital smoothly and has shown herself to be a great ambassador by raising money and finding donations of food and bedding for the hospital in her spare time.

The senior vet surgeon at Romford’s PetAid hospital, Faye Preston, said: “Emily’s love for animals and passion to learn about animal welfare makes her a fantastic addition to the team.

“She comes in every Saturday morning and often stays late to complete tasks, help with patients, sterilise clinical areas and clean up ready for the week ahead.

“Her compassion with pets and owners is outstanding – the whole team loves having her around.”

The PDSA provides free veterinary care to sick and injured pets of people in need and Emily is one of more than 4,500 volunteers helping the charity across the country.

She said: “I have learnt so much in the past three years with the PDSA and I feel very proud to be recognised in this way.

“It is my ambition to become a vet and I would love to work for PDSA when I qualify as they do such fantastic work to improve pet welfare and look after the pets of people in need.”

Mrs Preston added: “I have every faith that Emily will fulfil her career dreams and that any surgery would be lucky to have her.”