IT is a big step to take from sedating lions and treating wildlife on South African game reserves to looking after slightly smaller creatures at Beech House Veterinary Surgery in Wilderspool.

But vet Pieter de Villiers has taken it in his stride after being promoted to divisional partner for Willows Veterinary Group - and he even prefers the British weather.

The 50-year-old, who was born in Potchefstroom in South Africa, recalled a memorable attempt to track down a lion: “You do feel apprehensive when you are involved in catching a lion. The keepers play sounds of a lion eating to attract them.

“You need to be absolutely sure that that lion is deep asleep before you make any approach.”

He revealed lions smell awful because of their diet of raw meat and that they have greasy skin.

Pieter added: “I love animals and have done since I was very young.

“Believe it or not, we like the weather. 

“We love to see the change in seasons which if you live in Pretoria, you don’t have.”