Juggling a family, your own veterinary surgery and a veritable farmyard of animals at home is a tough challenge, and it is one faced every day by Margo Scott.

Margo, 49, from the Hope and Davies' Practice in New Malden, is the latest challenger for the title of Kingston's Best Vet. She was nominated by Mary and Colin Huntingford, who said: "Ms Scott has an exemplary kind and professional manner and we have recommended her to many of our friends."

Margo took over the practice in 2003, having worked there since 1984. She has two children, aged 17 and 19, and continued to work as they were growing up. "I worked part-time at the practice for a while when they were young and then juggled childminders and a very helpful husband," she said.

She studied for her veterinary degree in Cambridge and, after qualifying, spent three years working at a practice in High Wycombe. She later moved to New Malden after deciding to specialise in the treatment of small animals.

"I did an optional year of zoology on my degree course, but I've never really seriously considered exotic animal treatment. I prefer small animals like dogs and cats. It's still a specialised area," she said.

Margo and her family recently moved to the greener spaces of Woking to accommodate their growing menagerie of pets.

She said: "We have a horse, two dogs and three cats at the moment, but we've had at one point or another rabbits, rats and chickens. It's a bit of a farm really."

Having worked at the Hope and Davies Practice for over 20 years, Margo has enjoyed getting to know each pet and their owner. She said: "Most of my clients are so nice. I've seen families and their pets go through generations."

The vet with the most votes from Kingston Guardian readers will win the title but you only have until November 13 to get your nominations and votes in. Currently in the lead is Lucy Hancox from the A F O'Meara Vet Practice.