A FORMER people trainer is now set to use her skill in training pets at West End's Blue Cross animal adoption centre.

Mel Kermode, 36, has taken over as centre manager at the biggest Blue Cross animal shelter in the country - apart from those that take in horses.

Mel, who succeeds Steve Broomfield following his appointment as the Blue Cross regional manager for the south, has joined the Bubb Lane centre from the Fern Animal Sanctuary, near Chard in Somerset, where she was assistant manager.

But up until a couple of years ago, she worked in business management before pursuing her interest in dog and cat behaviour work which, up until then, she had carried out part time.

She said: "I have always been interested in dog-behaviour. One day I decided I wasn't going to train people any more."

The new centre manager has a qualification in pet behaviour counselling and it was because she knew the West End establishment did a lot of work in the field that she applied for the job.

As she prepared to tackle her first day in her new job she said: "I'm hoping to work for the Blue Cross for a long time.

"First of all I need to make myself familiar with their aims and objectives, but I can see a lot of potential in the centre."

The West End facilities recently saw a £400,000 building programme completed and Mel said: "There is a lot of space here which I think we can utilise for the benefit of the dogs in particular.

"I am very impressed with all the new buildings, the veterinary treatment room is gorgeous.

"I would like to see more exercise areas and more space for people meeting prospective pets."