A DENTAL surgery which was swamped with new patients at a recent open day, still has room for more NHS patients.

People came from across the north west and queued around the block to register with St George's Dental Practice after the surgery announced it was opening up 5,000 new NHS places.

Hundreds turned up to the two-hour open day held at the surgery in St George's Street on Saturday. It generated so much interest, the story even featured in the national news.

Practice manager Jackie May, said: "People came from Bolton, Blackpool, Blackburn and Preston. One man even came from Kendal in Cumbria.

"It was really manic and we haven't even had time yet to tot up how many people actually registered."

The new places were created after the practice bought the former Citizen's Advice office next door to create an extension. Three more NHS dentists were hired, opening 5,000 potential places for new patients.

A national shortage of NHS dentists has been blamed on the trend of more dentists going into private practice which generates more income. The government plans to recruit a further 1,000 dentists from abroad by October 2005.

Mrs May added: "We have always had our books open for NHS patients, albeit with a waiting list, but the open day seemed to generate an amazing response.

"We were expecting lots of visitors and were not surprised by the turnout because we know we obviously have a shortage of dentists locally.

"Most of the people who registered have been able to get appointments within the next couple of weeks.

"There are still spaces for more NHS patients."