CVS, the Diss-based veterinary group which operates more than 250 sites across Great Britain, has acquired the Ipswich practice of Hadleigh-based Highcliff.

The Ipswich practice, which includes a main site in Cliff Lane and a branch in Ellenbrook Green, is now operating within CVS as the Riversbrook Veterinary Group.

Highcliff has retained its practices based in Hadleigh High Street and in Factory Lane, Cattawade, near Brantham.

Around 30 staff based at the two Riversbrook sites have transferred to CVS which, as a result of the deal, now has a total of 99 practices operating from 264 sites.

CVS, a member of the EADT/EDP Top100 listing of the 100 largest companies in Suffolk and Norfolk, was established in 1999 with the aim of acquiring and operating veterinary practices well established with in their local communities and with reputations for high quality services.

It already includes sites in Brandon, Debenham, Framlingham, Lowestoft, Melton, Saxmundham, Southwold and Wickham Market in Suffolk and Ashingdon, Chelmsford, Eastwood, Maldon, Shoeburyness, Westcliff-on-Sea and Wickford in Essex.

Since 2001, it has diversified by acquiring businesses offering veterinary laboratory services and it also owns two pet crematoria.

Highcliff originated in the 19th Century with the Grimwade family of farriers, horse doctors and insurers based in Kersey. The practice was later run by three generations of the Lemon family, George, Alfred and Donald, ending with Donald’s retirement in 1977.

The practice moved to Hadleigh after the Second World War and later opened a branch in Ipswich, initially operating from the home of partner Roy Hullis in St John’s Road before moving to Cliff Lane.

It was following this that the practice changed its name to Highcliff, a combination of its addresses in High Street, Hadleigh, and Cliff Lane, Ipswich.