IT IS already the busiest equine hospital in the UK, handling more than 2,000 sick or injured horses a year. Now, thanks to a £9.5m fund-raising drive, the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, in Leahurst, near Neston, is set to retain its crown as a world leader in veterinary treatment.

Part of the University of Liverpool, it already provides care to horses at the Aintree Grand National and is renowned internationally for its research into killer condition colic.

On Thursday, the Princess Royal – herself synonymous with all things equine – will open the first phase of a series of new developments.

As well as touring a new reception, MRI facility, entrance and refurbished stables, she will meet staff, students and the hospital’s many four-legged patients.

Peter Bowling, head of the university’s equine division, said: “We are delighted the Princess Royal will be coming to open the new facilities.

“She is an excellent horse woman and I think she will appreciate the work which goes on here.

“Our first phase was to rebuild the area that patients’ owners see. We wanted to make the reception areas as welcoming as possible.

“We have a five-year plan to improve the facilities here, which will help us provide world-class treatment for the horses in our care.”

The fund-raising campaign for the Faculty of Veterinary Science was initially led by the late Lord Philip Leverhulme, a former Chancellor of the university.

Since his death, the Duke of Westminster and now Lord Derby have taken over the cause.

The hospital already has a high-speed treadmill, two operating theatres and specialist diagnostic tools.

Surgical areas have rubber flooring to prevent injury in horses when they lie down, equipment for hanging fluids, electronic monitoring for each patient and CCTV, so each animal can be observed remotely by nurses.