BOSSES at a Blackburn pet foods giant have added another top-flight name to their portfolio.

Managing director Tony Raeburn has confirmed Pets Choice, based in Whitebirk, has purchased the premium Pet's Kitchen line from Vet's Kitchen.

The dry cat and dog food brand will come under the Blackburn firm's umbrella from June 1.

Products will join the likes of Webbox, Bob Martin, Felight, TastyBone and B-Calm under the Pets Choice roof.

Management says this will enable Pet's Kitchen to concentrate on their clinical veterinary practices under their Vet’s Klinic brand.

And a 'long-term collaboration agreement' between the two companies is set to continue in support of both the Vet’s Kitchen and Vet’s Klinic operations.

Tony Raeburn, Pets Choice chief exec, said: "This is a fantastic acquisition for Pets Choice as we continue our drive in both product premiumisation and into the vet sector.

"We’re excited to onboard the Vet’s Kitchen team and pair their knowledge with our own.

“Our expertise in growing brands perfectly complements Vet’s Kitchen’s use of professional insight in its product formulations, and we believe this acquisition will act as a real partnership and deliver even better premium food for pets.

"The acquisition will also mean customers and listings alike will benefit from Pets Choice’s distribution network, making Vet’s Kitchen products all the more accessible to all.

"Vet’s Kitchen will complement our existing portfolio of growing brands entering us into the Premium sector which is extremely exciting.”

Laura Shears, managing director of Pets’ Kitchen, added: “We have just opened our second, state-of-the-art, ‘Vet’s Klinic’ veterinary practice in Reading and we have been seeking to divest our pet food division while maintaining an ongoing association.

"We are delighted we can hand over the Vet’s Kitchen brand to Pets Choice and to continue with a collaboration agreement for the long-term benefit of both companies. We look forward to seeing the Vet’s Kitchen brand go from strength to strength under Tony’s fantastic team.”

The Blackburn firm has been expanding in recent years and say the latest deal should bring in more staff.